colorism

American  

[kuhl-uh-riz-uhm] / ˈkʌl əˌrɪz əm /

especially British, colourism

noun

1. differential treatment based on skin color, especially favoritism toward those with a lighter skin tone and mistreatment or exclusion of those with a darker skin tone, typically among those of the same racial group or ethnicity.

---

Usage

What does colorism mean? Colorism is a form of racial discrimination based on the shade of an individual's skin tone, typically favoring lighter skin. It can occur both within a specific racial or ethnic group or across groups.

Etymology

Origin of colorism

First recorded in 1960–65; color (in the sense “skin complexion”) + -ism ( def. )

Example Sentences

“I’ve always had that inner inquietude, that kind of yearning for equality and for justice and for eliminating any kind of prejudices and racism and colorism, which is very prevalent in Mexico,” she explained.

From Los Angeles Times

Telling the story of the Black elite living in Newport, R.I., and the classism and colorism within that community was vitally important.

From Los Angeles Times

Upsetting as these demonstrations of classism and colorism are, Peggy and William’s seaside courtship is vital scenery infrequently dramatized in fictionalized histories.

From Salon

I admired how deftly she explored complex topics including racism, colorism and familial estrangement within a propulsive, poignant tale.

From Los Angeles Times

Spike Lee’s musical drama, set at a top historically Black college, took on issues of colorism, “good” and “bad” hair and more.

From Los Angeles Times