Introduction
Throughout history, African people have possessed a richness and beauty that shines across every shade of skin. Yet, despite this beauty and richness, the phenomenon of colorism has weakened African communities and caused deep scars across generations. Colorism, defined as discrimination based on skin shade within the same ethnic or racial group, operates like a quiet disease, undermining the strength and unity of African people (Hunter, 2005). It is rooted in histories of slavery, colonization, and racism, and its consequences continue to affect African communities and the global African diaspora today. The belief that lighter skin is more desirable or valuable than darker skin has shaped beauty standards, limited economic opportunities, and impacted self-worth and belonging (Blay, 2011).
But this narrative can be changed. It is possible for African communities to reclaim their heritage, to recognize the beauty in every shade of skin, and to stand united. The time has come for an open conversation about colorism and its far-reaching impacts. The time has come to call for the celebration of African identity and to nurture a collective pride that embraces every shade, every feature, and every heritage across the African continent.
The Historical Context of Colorism in Africa
To understand colorism, one must first understand its roots. The hierarchical value placed upon skin color emerged during the era of slavery and colonization. European powers, in their attempt to dominate African people, used the weapon of discrimination based on skin shade to create divisions and enforce control. The brutal slave trade created a system wherein those closer to European complexion were treated with slightly more favor than those with darker skin, reinforcing the belief that darker skin was somehow lesser (Hall, 1995). This belief was intentionally seeded and passed down across generations, cementing itself in the very psyche of African communities.
Colonization compounded the effects. The imposition of European beauty standards and ideals deepened internal discrimination within African communities. In many instances, children were taught, both overtly and covertly, that their heritage and skin shade were undesirable compared to that of the colonizers (Hunter, 2005). The infamous “paper bag test” and other such arbitrary measures became common ways to create a dividing line within the Black community. The result was a fragmented sense of belonging that weakened the collective strength needed for resistance and empowerment.
Today, the echoes of that era continue to vibrate across African nations and within the African diaspora. The obsession with skin tone has shaped how communities view beauty, worth, and belonging, making colorism one of the oldest yet least openly addressed issues affecting African identity.
Manifestations and Impact of Colorism in African Societies
While colorism can sometimes seem like a relic of the past, its impacts remain deeply felt in contemporary African society. Its effects stretch across multiple domains, from media and beauty ideals to economic and psychological landscapes.
- Media and Beauty Standards
African media platforms have long played a significant role in shaping perceptions of beauty within African communities. Mainstream advertisements and television often highlight and privilege lighter-skinned individuals as the ideal standard. This obsession has conditioned countless generations, making it harder for darker-skinned people to recognize their worth and beauty (Hunter, 2005). The media, both within Africa and across the global African diaspora, has often failed to represent the diversity of African beauty. The result is an internalization of external ideals — a quiet belief that beauty must adhere to certain narrow and often unattainable standards.
This has fueled a dangerous trend across the African continent and its diaspora: the widespread use of skin-lightening products. According to studies conducted in Nigeria and Ghana, an estimated 77% of women have used skin-lightening creams at least once in their lives (Blay, 2011). The reasons vary, from seeking social status to gaining economic advantage or gaining better marriage prospects. Yet, the consequences are severe, including skin damage, health complications, and a deeply entrenched sense of internalized racism.
- Economic Disadvantages
The discrimination associated with skin shade doesn’t end with beauty ideals — it influences economic and social mobility as well. In many African workplaces, studies have found a marked preference for lighter-skinned candidates, regardless of their experience or qualifications (Nkomo & Stewart, 2006). This trend has been observed across industries ranging from banking and corporate institutions to media and entertainment. The result is a systemic barrier that denies equal access and privileges based not on talent or effort, but upon the arbitrary measure of skin shade. - Impact on Self-Image and Identity
Perhaps one of the deepest and most devastating impacts of colorism is its effect on psychological well‑being. Darker‑skinned people, especially women, have been subjected to countless instances of discrimination within their own communities. The implicit and explicit messages about beauty and worth seep into the psyche, creating feelings of shame, inferiority, and self-doubt (Keith, 2009). This internalization can evolve into depression, low self‑esteem, and feelings of belonging nowhere — as if one’s worth is dictated by a shade that one had no hand in choosing. - Hindrance to Pan‑African Unity
More broadly, colorism undermines the very foundation upon which Pan‑African unity rests. At a time when African nations and people across the globe must stand together to build economic resilience, social strength, and cultural renaissance, colorism operates like a slow‑acting poison. It divides families, communities, and nations from within. The obsession with skin shade creates divisions that dilute collective strength, making it harder for African communities to unite around common struggles and aspirations (Norwood, 2014). To move forward as one people, it is vital for Africans to recognize and dismantle the internal discrimination caused by colorism.
Why This Must End
If African nations and their people across the world are to overcome the legacies of racism and colonization, colorism must be confronted openly and decisively. Its continued existence threatens the psychological, economic, and social fabric of African communities. Its impacts seep across borders and generations, making it an urgent priority for leaders, activists, and everyday people alike.
To continue ignoring colorism is to accept a distortion of the African identity. To continue treating it as an unspoken or unseen issue is to allow its wounds to deepen and fester within the heart of African heritage. True progress can only occur when every person of African heritage, regardless of shade, is celebrated, embraced, and valued as an integral part of a beautiful and diverse collective.
A Call for Appreciation and Healing of the African Identity
To eradicate colorism, one must recognize its impacts and intentionally replace old narratives with new, empowering stories about African beauty and heritage. This is a multi‑level endeavor that includes education, media reform, policy changes, and collective action rooted in a sense of belonging and belongingness.
- Education and Awareness
Change must begin with understanding. Educational institutions across African nations must teach the deep and nuanced history of colorism, highlighting its roots in slavery and colonization. By learning this history, young generations can recognize colorism as a tool of division; one that can be dismantled with knowledge and awareness (Hall, 1995). Education can help shift perceptions and foster a collective sense of belonging that embraces every shade. - Cultural Representation and Media Reform
The media holds a profound role in reshaping perceptions. African media platforms must consciously highlight and honor people of every shade, making space for diversity in television, advertisements, magazines, and digital platforms. Representation can heal wounds and redefine beauty for future generations. It can restore pride in heritage and create a new collective consciousness that embraces every shade as equally worthy and beautiful. - Policy and Advocacy
Government policies have a role to play in addressing colorism. Regulations that ban harmful skin‑lightening products and advertising, anti‑discrimination policies in workplaces and media, and targeted educational campaigns can shift systemic perceptions and create accountability. Policy can catalyze change, making discrimination based upon skin shade a matter of justice and equity. - Personal and Collective Empowerment
Each individual has the power to reject colorism within themselves and within their communities. This means telling new stories about belonging, challenging internalized discrimination, and nurturing a deep sense of pride rooted in heritage, beauty, and belonging. It means seeing ourselves clearly, accepting ourselves fully, and teaching future generations to do the same.
Conclusion
Colorism has weakened the African identity for too long, causing countless wounds and creating boundaries within the heart of African heritage. Its roots stretch deep into the brutal era of slavery and colonization, and its impacts have been felt across media, beauty standards, workplaces, and communities. Yet, despite its deep roots, colorism can be defeated.
By acknowledging its existence and openly addressing its impacts, African communities can unite in a collective effort to reject discrimination based upon skin shade. Through education, media representation, policy changes, and the nurturing of deep self‑love, Africans can rise to create a new chapter for their heritage. In this chapter, every shade of skin is celebrated, every heritage embraced, every person valued.
Reclaiming the beauty and heritage of the African identity is not merely symbolic — it is a necessary step towards true liberation. In a world that has long sought to diminish African worth, loving ourselves fully is an act of resistance and an assertion of belonging. Together, as one people, we can honor every shade of African heritage and build a brighter, stronger, and more inclusive future for ourselves and generations to come.
References
Blay, Y. A. (2011). Skin Bleaching and Global White Supremacy: By Way of Introduction. The Journal of Pan African Studies, 4(4), 4–46.
Hall, R. E. (1995). The Bleaching Syndrome: African Americans’ Response to Cultural Domination Vis‑a‑Vis Skin Color. Journal of Black Studies, 26(2), 172–191.
Hunter, M. (2005). Race, Gender, and the Politics of Skin Tone. Routledge.
Keith, V. M. (2009). Skin Tone and Stratification within the Black Community. In The Color Complex: The Politics of Skin Color in the New Millennium (2nd ed.). Anchor Books.
Nkomo, S. M., & Stewart, J. S. (2006). Diverse Identities in Organizations. In The New and Improved Leader. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Norwood, C. (2014). The Impact of Skin Tone on Black Identity. Journal of African American Studies, 18(2), 194–210.