Colorism

Title: The Evolution and perpetuation within colorist ideologies that pertain to African Americans. 

Elevator Pitch:

An examination of the social structure, ideas and interactions from slavery to the present in an attempt to analyze the evolution of colorism in the African America culture. By analyzing social interactions we will be able to see how these ideologies have hurt individuals self identification and hindered progression of the African American culture economically, politically and socially. 

Theory:

The main theory that will be used in this analysis will be that of Bourdieu's habitus. By looking at behaviors in the sense of habitus we will be able to see how these ideas have survived over years and see the affect that it has on relationships. The use of this theory will place emphasis on the idea of hierarchies and show how status was a key influence on many individuals perpetuated behaviors. 

Bibliography:

Hochshild, Jennifer and Weaver, Velsa

2007 The Skin Paradox and the American Racial Order. Pp. 643-670. Oxford University Press.

Jones, Robert U.

1964 Colorism and Communism: The Plot against the Negro. Pp. 25-38. University of Northern Iowa.

Norwood, Kimberly J

2014  Color Matters: Skin Tone Bias and the Myth of a Post-Racial America. New York and London.

Wilder, Jeffrianne 

2010 Revisting "Color Names and Color Notions": A Contemporary Examination of the Language and Attitudes of Skin Color Among Young Black Women. Pp. 184-206. Sage Publications, Inc. 

Wilder, Jeffrianne and Cain, Colleen 

2010 Teaching and Learning Color Consciousness in Black Families: Exploring Family Processes and Women's Experiences with Colorism. Pp. 577-604. Sage Publications, Inc.