Community Conversation: Anti-Blackness and Colorism

As a variety of racial justice issues demand our attention, broader movements have shown that “racism” as a term cannot sufficiently describe the different types of discrimination and dehumanization that people of color face. In this conversation, we explore the terms “anti-Blackness” and “colorism” to better understand what these words mean, how they relate to each other, and the role they play in expanding our ideas of racism. What roles do white and non-white people play in the proliferation of anti-Blackness and colorism? What meanings are attributed to lighter or darker skin in our unique cultures and contexts? As the demographics of this country change, will anti-Blackness and colorism become more prominent points of discussion or will they remain less recognized instruments of discrimination? Join YWCA Alaska in discussing these terms and their implications for larger discussions on race in our communities.