Colorism in Hollywood is Still an Issue — Even if I’m Not Triggered
How a recent post on Instagram got me thinking about my views and feelings surrounding colorism.
R29’s Unbothered recently posted an article about the movie Sylvie’s Love and while promoting it on their @r29unbothered Instagram account, a “heated” but worthwhile and necessary discussion about colorism erupted, leading to the change of the title of the original article. I’d like to join in with the many others that praised r29 for their willingness to listen to their audience and actually take accountability and action based on the criticism received.
This article isn’t a response to the R29 article, but rather a response to my personal insight that I never once thought of colorism while watching this movie, which I happen to love. It also reminded me of other instances where colorism has been pointed out in social media, and I’ve been none the wiser. For instance, the docu-series Black Love was criticized when one version of their Season 4 teaser was released on Instagram and the couples showcased in that particular version all consisted of a light-skinned female and a darker-skinned male.
My bad… let me expound on the whole colorism issue at hand. Sylvie’s Love, just like the Black Love teaser, showcases Black couples where the female is of a lighter Black complexion. This is an issue because it feeds into the narrative that a lighter complexion is better and prettier. It’s also an issue when it comes to general (Black) representation in mainstream media, not just love stories, as Blacks DO come in all shades of Black. You could write a whole book on the issue of colorism, but that’s my “CliffsNotes” version to provide context this particular article.
So back to my insight on the matter, I wasn’t triggered, nor did I even NOTICE it in either instance. I also know there are other instances where colorism has been brought to my attention and I didn’t catch it. Hear me please, I’m not saying it’s not there or that it’s not wrong. It is very much problematic and it very much exists. I’m simply saying, and also asking myself why I, as a non-light-skinned Black woman, didn’t see it.
A little backstory about me which might help provide further context. I was raised and grew up in Sweden in the ’80s and ’90s. And as you might guess, representation was next to none existent. Y’all, like ZERO representation. I can think back to only ONE. SINGLE. TV SHOW that had black characters in it. A show called Tre Kronor which translates to “Three Crowns”. 3 crowns is also the name of the National Swedish men’s hockey team and also happens to be a symbol of sorts for Sweden, although in the show it was the name of a sports center location which the storyline centers around.
The show ran from 1994–1999, so from when I was age 12–17. I know things have changed a bit since, and representation occurs more, however colorism I think is even worse in Sweden where most representation consists of individuals that have one Swedish (Caucasian) parent, and the other parent being Black, aka bi-racial. As a result, therefore mainly showing Blacks with a lighter complexion.
A large part of me moving from Sweden in 2006 was because not only did I NOT see myself represented in media but not in the corporate arena either. And as someone who had the ambition to climb the corporate ladder, Sweden just wasn’t gonna work out. So with my ambitious little self, I packed my bags and moved to Canada where I’ve been ever since. That said, one might think that my awareness of colorism would be heightened. But I think because North America is lightyears ahead of Sweden regarding representation (my opinion), I’m happy as a clam seeing any version of it.
The new Netflix show Bridgerton has received similar critique, only casting fair-skin Black people, and although I’m yet to watch the show at the time of me writing this article, I can see and appreciate the argument. But once again, it was a critique that I on my own didn’t pick up on.
I know the topic of colorism is a delicate one, and I’m not trivializing it AT ALL. I’m simply sitting here with my reflections and thought I’d share them. I know I’m not the only one who at the end of the day, is happy to see Black people portrayed period, but I know there’s possibly even more people that feel it’s not enough. The depth of the issue becomes clear when you have actresses such as Janet Hubert (the original Aunt Viv from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) expressing how she as (specifically) a dark-skinned Black woman was blacklisted in Hollywood (Watch The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion for further context).
That this is a delicate topic has of course been obvious for years, but the R29 article title change shows that we just might be embarking on a time where the issue is being acknowledged. Whether or not it’s being addressed in Hollywood, only time will tell.
I do want to acknowledge the many beautiful Black Love stories like The Photograph, Queen and Slim, and If Beale Street Could Talk, to name a few, where the leading lady isn’t light-skinned. Black Love is a topic near and dear to my heart, even if love has personally failed me on more than one occasion, lol. I’m still a hopeless romantic and I know my love story is still being written.
One of the reasons I love the docu-series Black Love is because it shows the depth and variety of our stories. And it shows that Black Love is not only alive and well, but thriving. My hope is that the topic of colorism unites us, in that we want ALL shades fairly represented and doesn’t further divide us. We’ve been through enough if you ask me. I will always stan for Us. And I will always stan for Black Love.
Share in the comments below what your take is on either the movie “Sylvie’s Love”, the docu-series “Black Love”, colorism, representation, or anything else you’d like to share. I’d love to hear it! Also, feel free to follow your girl in these social media streets. I’m @AbsolutViolette everywhere, but Instagram is where you’ll find me hanging out most of the time.
Grace & Peace!
