Colorism In Ethiopia Is A Huge Problem

Colorism and colorists have a stronghold in Ethiopia (allegedly) supported by the Prime Minister. Lighter skinned Ethiopians are all you can find on Google as well. They're what is used to promote tourism and international travel to the country, they are the face of Ethiopia. The country which claims to have never been colonized even though it was re-named and occupied by Italy.

When searching for public domain free to use photos, or Googling the photos of darker skinned Ethiopians the only shown were as HIV or AIDS patients. The photos used from USAID depicting darker skinned Ethiopians as poor, hungry, suffering from malnourishment.

This colorism isn't from the "White Man's" doing either, it isn't the wicket Western societies doing alone. The colorism comes from Ethiopia and Ethiopians as well. There has been campaigns and adverts that undermine the fact that there are millions of dark skinned Ethiopians. As much as the outside world and even Africans love to blame the 'Whites' for the ills of African Nations and citizens there is ingrained colorism in Africa.

When my daughter came to America, she also started to make differences between skin tones, saying that she was black, but her sister was white. No matter how much I explained that both of them are considered to belong to the black race, specially in America, she still thinks that my youngest daughter is white.

It is clear to me that she has experienced this negative differentiation in Ethiopia and resents it. She feels inferior and that her dark skin makes her ugly. It doesn’t help that she stands out at school and that some of her classmates make fun of her.

Source: Road To Ethiopia Documentary Dark Skin Girls

There are pins on Pinterist where you can find photos of darker skinned Ethiopian women as well as read some stories from them. There has been an erasure of dark skinned Ethiopians for decades from social media, new media, Google search results as well.

On my trip to Addis, one moment that stood out for me the most was whilst I was at a hair salon with my cousin. We both complemented a hairdresser with rich chocolate skin. She shook her head, chuckled and said, “I am not beautiful. I am too black,” in a matter-of-fact tone. Though I am no stranger to the experience of hearing Ethiopian and Eritrean people make colorists comments, I realized it was the first time I had heard it in English. Previously, I had always heard in said in Tigrinya (my native language), and perhaps that was how I was able to compartmentalize it. I had put it into the box of other dated and ignorant things I had become accustomed to hearing in Tigrinya.

Source: Blavity

There are African nations that practice extreme colorism when serving the public as well. Such as what is often time seen in South Africa with by the treatment of darker skin people vs those who are lighter skin or white person. Businesses that will outright mistreat and deny services to dark skinned Black Africans.

Colorism is practiced South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia and other African countries. Many of these countries also show signs of xenophobia and hatred towards citizens living within their boarders. Something some don't often experience when they come for a short tourist visit. Ghana is one such country that practices extreme and ignored xenophobia towards other Black Africans.

Colorist on the African continent also are the reason for the popularity of skin bleaching creams, skin whitening products that are deadly. These toxic skin whitening products can cause cancer, other illnesses and even death. Only a few countries like Rwanda has banned these products. Ghana claims to have banned them but doesn't follow up and prosecute those who sell them. These products can be easily found and are sold in Ghana. (2022)

Cameroon Minister of Health was recently forced to reverse the ban he wanted to implement in Cameroon. When he announced the bad he received death threats from Cameroonians.

Thank you for reading 🙏🏽 Please consider buying a coffee for Lacey's House efforts in Gender Equality & Children's Rights as it tries to move international.

©️TB Henry 2022 All Rights Reserved