Skin color is linked to greater discrimination among Latinos: About four in ten Latinos with darker skin (41%) say they have experienced discrimination or unfair treatment from other Latinos. This is part of a statistic made according to a study by the Pew Research Center. This has to do with the term Colorism, which is a form of discrimination based on the color of people’s skin and is related to racism.
Is there colorism among ourselves? Yes, and this is reflected in the way we express ourselves or make jokes in relation to other Hispanics who have different skin tones than ours. We Hispanics have a fusion/mixture of brown colors and lighter colors. These prejudices may be due to learned behavior and we tend to repeat this behavior either in our country or outside it.
The surveys that were carried out confirm that there is a high percentage of people who have felt discriminated against by other Hispanics due to their dark skin color and they also have few opportunities socially.
The important thing is to recognize this problem as one of a social nature and break with this problem that affects us as a community. Second, don’t ignore how we perceive and treat dark-skinned people regardless of their origin and race. Avoiding discrimination and not being part of the problem. That it is important to break with this social stigma that in one way or another affects us socially and emotionally. Understanding that we are different and that we cannot move away from our origins. Government and educational programs are needed to combat racism and colorism. Colorism and racism are cousins, ??and both are a disease that can affect both us and the new generations.
Brenda Rivera, BSW
