Why do Black People Discriminate Among Ourselves? Is Colorism real among Black People?

Ever hear these comments:

I will not go to a black doctor

I don’t like black waiters or waitresses

I don’t like black customers because they don’t tip

Ghetto black people make me nervous

I don’t like going to a black-owned business because they don’t know the meaning of customer service.

Or these comments:

She is pretty for being so dark-skinned.

Don’t stay out in the sun too long!

If you’re white, you’re right. If you’re brown, stick around. If you’re black, stay back.”

Believe it or not, these comments do not come from white bigoted white people but from blacks themselves! Let’s talk about the first type of prejudice and that is towards black businesses and neighborhoods in general. 

What’s MY price? I’ve known you for years where’s my “Hook Up”? I’m sure you are familiar with it. It’s when you receive an item or service at a vastly discounted price or even for free. It’s the attitude that makes one believe, “Hey, I’m black like you so I deserve a break”. What does that say when people do this? Have you ever done this or have had it done to you? To me it says they are cheap, unappreciative, and could care less about the time, effort, material, labor, etc required so the business owner can earn a decent living but they would NEVER say that to a white owner! Why is this the case? What about those black businesses or waiters/waitresses that don’t understand what “Customer Service” is but still expect you to patronize them or tip them for lousy service? What does this say? Or those servers that hate serving black people because they “Never Tip”! Can you relate to this?

Or what about those who simply feel that they “Can’t Relate” to black people and they are black themselves? They feel that blacks are loud, obnoxious, and ghetto and they feel out of sorts around them.

Light Skin vs Dark Skin Blacks:

The whole and light and dark issues in African American communities have formed a new type of prejudice. Colorism is a topic that needs to be talked about more in the Black community and in the media. While many blacks do not discriminate against each other by color this attitude is not unique. The fact that blacks often treat other blacks differently, based on the shade of their skin, is an open secret in the black community. Can Colorism and racism be compared to each other? Historians say the friction between blacks of different shades began during slavery because light-skinned blacks, often the children of slaves and their white masters, got a better treatment.

Lighter skin began to be associated with privilege and it became associated with beauty. The Bon Ton Society and the Blue Vein Society were formed and applicants had to be fair enough so the blue veins on their skin were visible. Fraternities and churches would use the paper bag test. If the skin of an applicant was darker than the bag, he or she couldn’t join. Sometimes, a fine-toothed comb was hung at the door. If one’s hair snagged in the comb, entry was denied. (Straight hair was often regarded as “good hair” — as opposed to tightly curled hair — often associated with lighter skin.)

Animosity had to grow out of that unfair relationship. Darker-skinned blacks began to resent light-skinned blacks who were given opportunities to succeed. Race is an illusion, but racism is real. People are beautiful regardless of skin tone so why so much self-hate?

We have to start supporting our black businesses more without looking for a handout and businesses need to give the same customer service to blacks as they do their white customers! With so many other things going on externally that affect the black race; it is a darn shame that our own people are causing each other unnecessary mental anguish. Black folks have to realize that whether you are light or dark-skinned, the white man still categorizes you the same.

What are YOUR Thoughts Corner Family…