Some Thoughts on Dark Skin & Somalis

[VixR]

You sure about that? Why don't wd see whether African Americans themselves agree with you?

"Colorism—the remnant of slavery, colonialism, and white supremacy—is a tool that divides people of color and creates infighting where there should be solidarity and unity. In many Black families, it is the reason for contention and misunderstandings. And within the Black Diaspora, it is a reason to self-segregate."

"The big question that remains is: Who is responsible for reconciling the issues created by centuries of colorism that has perpetuated a set of social, financial, and economic hierarchies?"

http://www.forharriet.com/2016/01/black-women-who-benefit-from-colorism.html#axzz4b2pPLxpH

Yeah, where's the socioeconomic and institutional toll on the darkskinned today, and invisibility of dark-skinned powerhouses and figures, Sherlock?

 

[Gambar]

@Prince of Hobyo @jugjugwacwac

So the new argument is, there is colorism, but it isn't institutionalized?

Moving the goalpost.

I can categorically tell you that isn't true for most of them irl

Colourism is like racism, it has to be institutionalized otherwise it is merely a prejudice. The vast majority of ethnic Somalis are extremely dark skinned, with a light skinned minority who don't get better positions just based on their skin. Somalis only recently started to favor light skin. My ayeyo even told me she was called good as a child because of the rich dark color of her skin. It wasn't an insult, it was praise.

 

[VixR]

Colourism is like racism, it has to be institutionalized otherwise it is merely a prejudice. The vast majority of ethnic Somalis are extremely dark skinned, with a light skinned minority who don't get better positions just based on their skin. Somalis only recently started to favor light skin. My ayeyo even told me she was called good as a child because of the rich dark color of her skin. It wasn't an insult, it was praise.

Colorism doesn't have to be institutionalized to be colorism, it's simply prejudice based on color and tone with a group against the dark-skinned. And according to my own experiences and what I've seen, it's definitely present in the Somali community. I am light, if I must say, and I know this for a fact. The issue of bleaching has long been rearing its head back home, but I'm not even presuming to speak for that, though I know it's a problem, talk less speaking to the generation of our grandparents.

 

[Gambar]

Colorism doesn't have to be institutionalized to be colorism, it's simply prejudice experienced based on color and tone with an group. And according to my own experiences and what I've seen, it's definitely present in the Somali community. The issue of bleaching has long been rearing its head back home, but of I'm not even presuming to speak for that, though I know it's a problem, talk less the generation of our grandparents.

It's a new thing walaashiis, when I was last in S/Land in 2015 they described skin bleaching as if it was expected of a woman to do. They also sold expired creams! I even had a young woman suggest I should use just a little bit on my skin. But again, dark skin people aren't being discriminated against to the point where they don't get employment, married, a home etc.

 

[Cinnamon Spice]

Interesting post. I still think it's sad we consider lighter skin more attractive than dark skin in our culture; especially considering we are a majority dark skinned people. In my experience, having dark skin can enhance ones beauty at times.

 

[VixR]

It's a new thing walaashiis, when I was last in S/Land in 2015 they described skin bleaching as if it was expected of a woman to do. They also sold expired creams! I even had a young woman suggest I should use just a little bit on my skin. But again, dark skin people aren't being discriminated against to the point where they don't get employment, married, a home etc.

I agree with that! I'm not saying they can't get employed or whatever, though I would actually push you on the marriage bit in some cases.

I'm saying now, in our culture, there's a culture-wide favoritism for light-skinned people, even men. I can say that confidently. I don't know how anyone can argue it.

 

[Abdalla]

@Abdalla I can't believe you're still throwing out that Shidaad crap when I've already given you the entire fucking thread to browse nacala kutaal. Colorism doesn't have to = institutionalization or socioeconomics to be classified as colorism, which is what they've beem trying to do all along, but I'm sorry, it's not working. The very ppl the argument was based on for being afflicted (the AA) do not have any socioeconomic affect, and darkskinned ppl still can gain prominence and often do in their community, and yet colorism is undoubtedly existent and no one would argue that it doesn't. You continue to be dishonest. As well as these other denialists.

@ductape Funny how I'm being accused (moving goalposts etc) of what you've @jugjugwacwac and co. have been doing all along, but it's clear at this point you're all in gross denial.

Are you kidding me?? Are you seriously saying that colourism didn't manifest itself in a negative socioeconomic status for the AAs? Even during slavery light skin slaves were treated better than dark skinned slaves. The dark ones worked on the field, the light skin ones in the house.

http://europe.newsweek.com/ugly-roots-light-skindark-skin-divide-213518?rm=eu

 

[VixR]

Are you kidding me?? Are you seriously saying that colourism didn't manifest itself in a negative socioeconomic status for the AAs? Even during slavery light skin slaves were treated better than dark skinned slaves. The dark ones worked on the field, the light skin ones in the house.

http://europe.newsweek.com/ugly-roots-light-skindark-skin-divide-213518?rm=eu

lol Still having problems with the definition, I see

Although colorism within the Black community can, in part, be traced to their (White ppl's) favoritism of the lightest among the Black slaves and later, even the Black freed people. White people favoring their light-skinned part-white products isn't colorism. It has to be within the race/ethnic group, and its institutionalization within that group is no requirement. In the case of AA's, it wasn't even by their own doing, but inflicted into their psyche by their past.

As for Somalis, who knows why we suddenly have a favoritism for light skin. From all accounts I've heard, we used to have a healthier outlook on that front, but that has changed. If our grandparents generation was fine, how much of an impact could colonialism possibly have had? It looks to be more recent than that by a long shot. Perhaps globalization has something to do with it.