¨So I’ma say somethin’ that’s vital and critical for survival
Of mankind, if he lyin’, color should never rival
Beauty is what you make it, I used to be so mistaken
By different shades of faces.¨

In Kendrick Lamar’s song “Complexion,” the main idea is the concept of colorism. Colorism differs greatly from racism, yet it is often confused with the issue of racism. Colorism, as defined by the Oxford Living Dictionary is “Prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group.” This differs from racism – again defined by Oxford Living Dictionary – as “Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.”

Colorism, ultimately, is discrimination of people within the same group due to the color or complexion of one’s skin. Out of the two, colorism is the most dangerous concept, especially in the black community as the war of light skins vs dark skins is daunting.

The concept of colorism, or the war between skin complexions, ventures back to slavery. According to Allison Samuels of Newsweek, “Since the days of slavery, skin color has been used as a tool of separation and preferential treatment within the black community. The residue of the ‘house’ versus ‘field Negro’ divide has long remained with us, even as we celebrated black pride in the ‘70s and hip-hop culture in the ‘80s. House slaves were usually products of a relationship between a master and a female slave, so they tended to have lighter skin. The boss’s offspring would more than likely receive the special favor of doing work inside the house out of the hot sun. They’d eat better, often get taught to read and write, and enjoyed many of the liberties of non slaves. Slaves with darker skin were usually stuck toiling in the fields. The anger over that old distinction has never quite gone away in African-American culture.”
This division on the plantation brought darker skinned women to develop a dislike towards light skinned women. Many slaves strived to reproduce lighter skinned children at their own will so that their child had a better life.

To African-Americans, the statement, “I want light skin kids so they are treated a little bit better in the world” belief carries forward today. It’s sad and gut-wrenching for me to hear this come out of anybody’s mouth, especially people that associate with the black community. The war between dark skin and light skin people in the black community is horrifying and sickening and, the larger society is the one that is quietly supporting this divide.

Society emphasizes minor issues, such as the perceived beauty of lighter skinned complexions, into our community to keep us divided. The more divided we become, the weaker we are as a community, which makes it easier for us to be at odds with each other.