Internalized Racism & Racism

Intro

This article is to point out internalized racism, racism and their existence in society today. It is to share with you a list of colored power couples who I think demonstrate beautiful true love and combat internalized racism through their love. (Colored including; Indians, Native Americans, Hispanics and Middle Eastern folk.)

Division…How It Started

Divide and conquer is a tactic that has been used since slavery when lighter skinned slaves were favored over the darker ones by Whites. This distinct separation caused division within the colored community that still exists today. To be honest I wish people would stop glorifying dark skin and light skin stop mentioning it. Your complexion has nothing to do with you as a person internally nor your exterior beauty. This type of psychological thinking is detrimental to the entire colored community because it keeps us from uniting. Consciously making a choice to not date someone because they are darker than you is racist. It is proof that racism and internalized racism is heavier now more than ever. It is no one’s job but your own to put an end to division based on complexion. You can not control any one else's behavior but your own so I ask are you going to be a part of the problem or the solution?

The Proof, The Doll Test

Two African American psychologists Mamie and Kenneth Clark performed a doll test to prove the negative effects of slavery. A black doll and a white doll were offered to children of color and they all preferred the white doll. The Clarks believed it was because they felt the black doll was inferior to the white doll and that this reflected how they felt about themselves in comparison to White children as well. I don’t believe children felt inferior or believed the black doll was inferior to the white. I do believe it was simply because they are treated lesser then and children observe and understand that. This is proof that internalized racism starts at a young age and is alive and well.

The Brainwashing and Negative Lighting

Authors, hosts, producers and media painting colored folk in a negative light. Women of color are shown often on TV as the crazy side chick, the maid or a stripper. Men of color are shown often on TV as the thug, dead beat father, the thief or the player. We all can admit that “Black Panther” is the one and only movie in which a man of color played a superhero. If we can compare the numbers it doesn’t add up. Superman, Captain America, Iron Man, Batman, Spiderman, Deadpool, Wolverine, The Hulk and Thor. That is one to nine. Why is it that only one superhero is black? Why are people of color not given more positive and leading roles in movies? Movies began in 1895 by the Lumière brothers and slavery ended in 1865 by the thirteenth amendment but still that means nothing because we have been stripped of everything. Equality still has not been handed and it’s been 155 years and thirty-five days. There can be no equality when white privilege exists and the media continues to portray colored people as thugs opposed to heroes painting them in negative lighting. The media continues to demonize the colored community and it has negatively impacted society. They have made it so it is impossible to believe a colored person can be a superhero or good with the odds they have dealt. This causes people to think negatively about people of color. As a result, other races begin to treat us as such. This causes racism and internalized racism on an international scale.

The Continuance of and Mejorar La Raza

In Spanish culture there is something called “Mejorar La Raza.” Refusing to give someone the chance to love you or be with you because they are darker then you is vain but also the meaning of mejorar la raza. Older generations have taught younger generations that by dating someone darker you cannot advance the generation. The reason being that your babies will be “cursed” with dark skin. While I admit the weight one must carry as a colored person feels like the weight of the world sometime this thinking only destroys cultural and ethnic pride and esteem of future generations.

The Exotic Craze

The thing that no one admits or is willing to discuss is the glorification of “light skin or mixed babies.” Many now label exotic. So many mixed kids are being reproduced and nowadays its uncommon to find someone who is “just African-American or just Puerto-Rican.” They have even began mixing races and making up terms for certain ethnic mixes. For instance, the term “Blasian” and its reference to someone who is Black and Asian. Interracial couples are great but not great when the reason for someone darker to be dating someone lighter is solely to have “lighter” or “whiter” babies.

Empowerment

When the world has tried to kill you and you live you are strong. When the world has tried to trick you into thinking you are not beautiful because you carry more melanin in your skin and you buy it, return it. When the world has tried to diminish your worth don’t behave worthless but worthy like the king and queen you are. Little melanin or no melanin you are a human worthy of equality, love, kindness and compassion. Be like a flower and bloom in the sun but gain nourishment from the rain. Be like these power couples and stand tall and strong together.

The Power Couples

1. Rev. Run and Justine Simmons

2. Carmelo and Lala Anthony

3. Denzel and Pauletta Washington

4. Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe

5. Steph and Ayesha Curry

6. Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert

7. Devon Franklin and Meagan Goode

8. Kevin Gates and Dreka Gates

9. Blair Underwood and Desiree Dacosta

10. Tamia and Grant Hill

11. Mike Todd and Natalie Todd

12. Tia Mowry and Cory Hardict

13. Michael Jai White and Courtenay

14. Larenz Tate and Tomasina Parott

15. Ciara and Russell Wilson