colourism
Complexion-based prejudice
Colourism is discrimination or prejudice based on skin tone, typically favoring lighter skin over darker skin within the same racial or ethnic group.
Unlike racism, which operates between racial groups, colourism creates hierarchies within communities—lighter-skinned individuals often receive preferential treatment in employment, dating, and social status.
The phenomenon appears across many cultures worldwide.
She wrote about colourism in the Black community and how it affects self-esteem.
The spelling colorism is standard in American English.
Light-toned human pigmentation
- tanningCuring hides or bronzing
- brown skinPigmented human epidermis
- melaninNatural coloring compound
- complexionSkin tone, appearance
shade · tone · whitening · light-skinned · dark-skinned · caramel · mocha · ebony
Bias based on complexion
- bleachingChemical color removal
- tone policingDismissing argument over delivery
- caste systemHereditary class division
- passingMoving by or temporary
Ownership of people
- colonialismDomination through foreign settlement
- house slaveEnslaved indoor worker
- field slaveBondsperson working land
- miscegenationCross-racial intimate relations
mulatto · quadroon · octoroon · creole · casta · mestizo · colonial legacy · one-drop rule
Depiction or likeness
- BollywoodIndian film industry
- HollywoodAmerican film industry center
- castingShaping through liquid form
- typecastingAssigning actors similar roles
leading role · villain · colorblind casting · beauty pageants · modeling · advertising · whitewashing · media bias
fair skin
Light-toned human pigmentation
- tanningCuring hides or bronzing
- brown skinPigmented human epidermis
- melaninNatural coloring compound
complexion · shade · tone · whitening · light-skinned · dark-skinned · caramel · mocha · ebony · ivory
colorism
Bias based on complexion
- bleachingChemical color removal
- tone policingDismissing argument over delivery
- caste systemHereditary class division
slavery
Ownership of people
- colonialismDomination through foreign settlement
- house slaveEnslaved indoor worker
- field slaveBondsperson working land
miscegenation · mulatto · quadroon · octoroon · creole · casta · mestizo · colonial legacy · one-drop rule · passing
representation
Depiction or likeness
- BollywoodIndian film industry
- HollywoodAmerican film industry center
- castingShaping through liquid form
typecasting · leading role · villain · colorblind casting · beauty pageants · modeling · advertising · whitewashing · media bias · fashion industry
colourisminclusivity
Practice of welcoming all
racial equity · egalitarianism · anti-discrimination · self-acceptance · body positivity
- colouring outside the linesDisregarding established boundaries intentionally
- colouring bookPages with outlined pictures
- colouring inside the linesPrecise, bounded creative work
- colouring pencilsTinted drawing implements
- food colouringPigment for consumables
colouring, colourings, colourize, colourized, colourizing, colourization