Join Don John for a talk exploring Colourism, the bias that attaches values to different skin tones, and its impact on Black, Mixed-Race, and White communities, past and present. The discussion will reflect on its origins, effects and ongoing influence.

Once referred to as Shadism, Colourism is a devastating by-product of living with the consequences of structural racism. It examines the value attached to different complexions, where lighter skin is favoured over darker skin, even within the same racial or ethnic group.

The talk is presented in association with the Colourism Exhibition, on display at God’s House Tower from Thursday 6th – Sunday 9th November, supported by the Arts Council. Through portraits of known individuals in the local Black community of varying complexions, from dark skin to light skin, accompanied by their personal reflections on identity. The exhibition invites visitors to question how complexion shapes how people see themselves and others.

‘We hope that this exhibition will stimulate discussion on an issue that is both embarrassing and harmful and continue that conversation in safe places, that only create a greater understanding.” – Don John, Founder of Black History Month South

To understand how colourism became such a pivotal part of pain and struggle, we must understand that like racism, its origins lie in white supremacy. This struggle resonates with people all over the world. These attitudes are a relic of slavery, when slaves were separated based on complexion. Slave masters often showed a preference for lighter-skinned slaves (lighter-skinned slaves worked in the house, and darker-skinned slaves worked in the fields). This has created deep-seated tension and resentment that continues to this day and makes it difficult for many to speak openly about the issues.

The exhibition explores an issue that has had a profound impact on life and culture, often in ways that go overlooked. The talk will reflect on how Colourism shapes culture, beauty, and identity, encouraging us to consider where these ideas come from and how they continue to influence society today.

Don John’s 1994 film Shadism: The Politics of Complexion focused on this issue from a Black woman’s perspective. It investigated a local chemist in St Mary’s Southampton, who was selling illegal skin-lightening products and the stories they’ve heard about skin bleaching. Highlighting the personal and social pressures that led people (including children) to try lightening their skin and reflecting the role of the fashion and beauty industries in perpetuating these ideals.

Click here to watch Shadism: The Politics of Complexion-YouTube Video 

Today, modern technology has developed more sophisticated and subtle ways to alter skin tone, aided and abetted by parts of the fashion industry, media and digital industries (for example, facial filters used on platforms like Instagram and Snapchat and how they tend to digitally lighten skin tones).

Some argue that colourism stems from black people internalising negative imagery of “blackness” perpetuated by the media and white-dominated societies.

Now some may ask, what’s the difference between Racism and Colourism? Most are broadly aware of racism as discrimination and prejudice against people based on their race or ethnicity. And colourism is that discrimination and prejudice perpetrated based on complexion.

Historically, this can also be seen and reflected from the Brown Paper Bag Test, a racist, discriminatory practice within the black community in the 20th Century, where an individual’s skin tone is compared to the colour of a brown paper bag. While this test is no longer physically applied today, it makes you wonder whether such prejudices are still applied subconsciously and unconsciously, and that’s all part of the conversation.

About Don John

Don John has worked in the Race and Diversity field for more than forty years. After beginning his career with HM Treasury in Whitehall, he moved to Southampton to focus on supporting Black and Asian youth and addressing racism in education and the criminal justice system.

He later became the city’s lead Race and Diversity Officer, helping to shape policies on equality and inclusion. Don founded Black History Month South and has been involved in a range of community and cultural projects, including the Rainbow Project, the James Wiltshire Trust, the Black Archives Programme, and the publications The Black History of Southampton: 16th Century to 21st Century and Black Stories.

As a filmmaker and consultant, Don has produced documentaries, curated exhibitions, and worked with the BBC, ITV and independent film companies. He was recently awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts by Solent University for his long-standing contribution to race equality and the arts in Southampton.

Colourism Exhibition at God’s House Tower

This exhibition is happening from Thursday 6th – Sunday 9th November. This exhibition and talk are happening in the Crawford Room at God’s House Tower. Free admission.

Click here to find out more about the Colourism Exhibition at God’s House Tower 

Accessibility:

Please note, unfortunately, there is no step-free access to the Crawford Room. Please do get in touch prior if you might need assistance accessing the space. Our lift can take you up to the second floor, then there are 4 steps up and 2 down to get to the Crawford Room.

Recommended Book List:

• A Black History of Southampton (16th Century to 21st Century) by Don John & Stella Muirhead
• Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
• I Am Not Your Baby Mother by Candice Brathwaite
• The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People by Leah Thomas
• The Mixed-Race Experience: Reflections and Revelations on Multicultural Identity by Naomi & Natalie Evans

Recommended Articles:

Even in the playground, I was told my skin was too dark: it’s time to face up to colourism – Candice Brathwaite