colorism

noun

col·or·ism ˈkə-lə-ˌri-zəm

-lər-ˌi-zəm

variants or British colourism

: prejudice or discrimination especially within a racial or ethnic group favoring people with lighter skin over those with darker skin

Under this system of colorism—the system which prevailed in my childhood in Jamaica, and which has carried over to the present—rarely will dark and light people co-mingle. Rarely will they achieve between themselves an intimacy informed with identity.—

Michelle Cliff

What writer Alice Walker defined as colorism, the preferential or prejudicial treatment of same-race people based on skin color, continues to this day. And as she once wrote, unless we exorcise it "we cannot as a people progress. For colorism, like colonialism, sexism and racism, impedes us."—

Itabari Njeri

Examples of colorism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In ‘One Love’ Rita and Bob discuss their experience of colorism – both of them were bullied because of the color of their skin. —

Debra Edwards, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024 One section addresses the pervasiveness of colorism — social exclusion based on skin tone — within the Black community. —

Holland Cotter, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2024 Nevertheless, in an apparent response to the accusations of colorism and everyone choosing sides after Thorton assaulted Wendy, the producers of Potomac made a seemingly concerted effort to introduce a new cast member, Nneka Ihim, who shares Nigerian heritage with Osefo. —

Shelby Stewart, Essence, 12 Jan. 2024 People have their first experiences with colorism or hair discrimination early on in their childhood and long term, those negative experiences can affect mental, emotional, and physical health outcomes through premature aging, increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more. —

Kathy Pierre, Parents, 3 Dec. 2023 Despite their differences, the two lean on each other while contending with filthy motel rooms, colorism, rampant misogyny, dwindling finances and their own evolving public images. —

Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Nov. 2023 Throughout history, beauty has consistently excluded Blackness, perpetuating colorism, fatphobia, transphobia, and texturism. —

India Espy-Jones, Essence, 2 Aug. 2023 During Tuesday’s roundtable conversation, hosted by international colorism expert Sarah L. Webb, Spice responded directly to Mena. —

Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2023 Girlfriends also highlighted the issue of colorism in our community. —

Essence, 11 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'colorism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.