Young individuals are breaking generational thought patterns around colorism despite making older generations “uncomfortable,” mental health experts say. This is the ultimate post in our four-part series on color and mental health.
December 15, 2022 – While bathing with their grandmother, five-year-old Afro-Latino triplets played with toys that squirted water.
After filling the toy with soap and water, one in every of them innocently turned to his grandmother.
“When I spray this on, my skin becomes brighter.”
This became a defining moment for her parents, Marland and Anniella May, two millennial psychiatrists of Caribbean and Argentinian descent. Did their young daughter think lighter skin was higher? Colorism entered their home early.
“I took a more direct role in designing their environment and was very conscious in choosing what we presented to them,” says Marland.
Addressing colorism—real or perceived bias based on skin color and tone—is just not easy, especially because it might involve “trying to undo 500 years of systematic miseducation,” says Dr. Nayeli Y. Chavez-Dueñas, a board-certified clinical psychologist and professor on the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Around the world, hundreds of thousands of individuals with darker skin are disadvantaged. In communities of color, nonetheless, lighter skin often provides greater access, privileges – and higher mental and physical health.
“Even though it makes me frustrated and angry when people make racist comments, I have to remember that we were all exposed to this upbringing before we were born,” says Chavez.
Promote community
According to Josephine Almanzar, PsyD, a licensed psychologist and owner of Oasis Psychological Services, going against the grain in each your community and your loved ones could be tough, especially if you could have to take heed to repeated comments concerning the color of your skin or live in a non-diverse community.
“It's really an act of rebellion to fight against what you've been told your whole life,” says Almanzar. “It's important to find a community so you don't feel alone in this struggle to be who you are.”
According to Dr. Radhika Parameswaran, associate dean of the Media School at Indiana University in Bloomington, it’s also crucial that conversations about colorism happen outside of the house, resembling in churches, schools, the media and thru outstanding members of society.
Additionally, social media is a vital tool for raising awareness about colorism and provides an avenue of support for many who feel isolated from their family or community at large.
“In South Asia, especially in India, I hear an increasing number of young women talking about how these [colorism] is improper and the way things should be modified,” says Parameswaran.
Breaking down barriers
Although the burden of breaking generational and societal patterns of thinking about colorism ultimately falls on younger generations, Almanzar says young people give her hope.
For example, they are more likely to wear their naturally curly hair or sunbathe, despite being told it “gets too dark” – both of which can cause “discomfort” in older generations, she says.
Engaging in positive self-talk, or inner dialogue, is a key consider helping young people accept their skin tone and physical features, says Anniella, mother of triplets, now 6. This might involve asking children to reflect on what they see when they appear within the mirror or engaging of their inner dialogue after making mistakes.
“It's validation of the fact that you're beautiful and smart,” says Marland. “We wanted to highlight other areas of their personality before we moved on to their beauty, almost as if we were validating who they were. But first we had to validate their identity and their appearance.”