Colourism and the Politics of Beauty
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Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
This open-space essay argues that colourism — prejudice on the basis of skin shade — intersects with racism and sexism to disadvantage women of colour, particularly those with dark skin, and is sustained by a global beauty hierarchy that privileges whiteness. Using media controversies, Twitter commentary and secondary scholarship, it frames skin lightening and "ethnic cosmetic surgery" as pragmatic responses to structural inequality rather than mere false consciousness.
Key findings
- Colourism operates through intersecting racism, colourism and "patriarchal patterns of desire," with light skin functioning as symbolic capital convertible into economic advantage; citing Hunter (2007:237), people with light skin "earn more money, complete more years of schooling, live in better neighborhoods, and marry higher-status people than darker-skinned people of the same race or ethnicity."
- Magazine lightening of women of colour (e.g., Lupita Nyong'o in *Vanity Fair*, Rebecca Ferguson, India.Arie, Beyoncé, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Gabourey Sidibe) conveys that women of colour "are not light enough for mainstream media because they are not white," and reflects an industry in which black cover girls are said to sell less well.
- The global skin lightening industry is expected to grow to US$19.8 billion by 2018 (King, 2013); "ethnic cosmetic surgery" — rhinoplasty, cheiloplasty and East Asian blepharoplasty — is proliferating, with South Korea reported as the country with the highest proportion of its population having undergone cosmetic surgery (Hunter, 2007).
- Colourism divides people of colour and benefits those with the lightest skin, making it hard to challenge; the paper argues it will endure "as long as the structure of white racism remains intact" (Hunter, 2007:250).
Methods
- Conceptual/analytical essay rather than empirical study; the author draws on Twitter searches for "dark girls"/"dark skin" and "light skin"/"light girls," media and news reports, and secondary scholarship.
- Analytical frame: Pierre Bourdieu's concepts of symbolic power and symbolic violence, applied to the global beauty hierarchy; the paper also engages debates over the precolonial versus colonial origins of skin-shade hierarchies.
- No primary dataset, sample or statistical analysis is reported.
Limitations
- Stated by the paper: "It is beyond the scope of this article to explore the issue of colourism and masculinity, but it is an important subject that warrants further investigation."
- Evident from the text: the argument rests on illustrative media cases and cited secondary literature rather than original data, and the examples are drawn predominantly from the UK, US and India, so the analysis is not systematically comparative across the geographies it acknowledges have distinct histories of colourism.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
0 of 55 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged
- Premisecitation§ i ntroduction
Heterosexual men of colour often perpetuate colourism by demonstrating it in their choice of partners, or in their descriptions of what they consider attractive in women.
“Heterosexual men of colour often perpetuate colourism by demonstrating it in their choice of partners, or in their descriptions of what they consider attractive in women (hooks, 2003; Jha and Adelman, 2009; Berry and Duke, 2013), as can be seen on Twitter.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites hooks, 2003
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Jha and Adelman, 2009 source
- cites Berry and Duke, 2013
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Premisecitation§ i ntroduction
The status that women derive from being deemed beautiful can lead to advantages in education and the job and marriage markets.
“The status that women derive from being deemed beautiful can lead to advantages in education and the job and marriage markets (Hunter, 2007).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Hunter, 2007 source
- Premisecitation§ skin whitening and ' ethnic cosmetic surgery '
Around the United Kingdom, Trading Standards officers are attempting to prevent the sale of illegal skin bleaching products, which are sold under the counter in some African, African Caribbean and Asian shops.
“Around the United Kingdom, Trading Standards officers are attempting to prevent the sale of illegal skin bleaching products, which are sold under the counter in some African, African Caribbean and Asian shops.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Bartholomew, 2013
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Premisecitation§ i ntroduction
More than a decade into the twenty-first century, the hegemonic ideal of the beautiful fair white woman remains powerful as a result of the intersection of racism, colourism and patriarchal patterns of desire.
“More than a decade into the twenty-first century the hegemonic ideal of the beautiful fair white woman remains powerful (see Wade, 2012) as a result of the intersection of racism, colourism (inter- and intra-ethnic prejudice on the basis of skin shade) and patriarchal patterns of desire.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Wade, 2012
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning§ skin lightening in magazines
Irrespective of whether pictures of women of colour are digitally altered or lighting is used to produce an unnatural pallor, the results and implicit message are the same: women of colour, whatever their skin shade, are not light enough for mainstream media because they are not white.
“Irrespective of whether or not pictures of women of colour are digitally altered or lighting is used in such a way that it produces an unnatural pallor, the results and the implicit message they convey are the same: women of colour, whatever their skin shade, are not light enough for mainstream media because they are not white.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Premisecitation§ i ntroduction
Patriarchal patterns of desire mean women are still judged disproportionately on their looks.
“Racism and colourism lead to the privileging of light skin, and ' patriarchal patterns of desire ' mean women are still judged disproportionately on their looks (hooks, 2003).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites hooks, 2003
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Premisecitation§ history of colourism
There was an outcry when Thandie Newton was cast to play an Igbo woman in the film adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Half of a Yellow Sun.
“Similarly, there was an outcry when Thandie Newton was cast to play an Igbo woman in the film adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ' s novel Half of a Yellow Sun (Danielle, 2012).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Danielle, 2012
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Premisecitation§ skin whitening and ' ethnic cosmetic surgery '
The creams keep re-appearing because of the continued demand.
“However, the creams keep re-appearing because of the continued demand (Bartholomew, 2013).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Bartholomew, 2013
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Premisecitation§ skin whitening and ' ethnic cosmetic surgery '
South Korea is the country with the highest proportion of its population having undergone cosmetic surgery.
“an operation that accounts for South Korea being the country with the highest proportion of its population having undergone cosmetic surgery (Hunter, 2007).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Hunter, 2007 source
- Premisecitation§ history of colourism
In countries that were colonised by Europeans, light skin shades are privileged as a result of the legacy of colonialism, when white skin and associated features were accorded high status and dominance.
“In countries that were colonised by Europeans, light skin shades are privileged as a result of the legacy of colonialism, when white skin and associated features were accorded high status and dominance (Hunter, 2007; Glen, 2008).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Hunter, 2007 source
- cites Glen, 2008
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Premisecitation§ conclusion
Images of 'beauty' are politicised.
“Images of ' beauty ' are politicised (Nederveen Pieterse, 1998:10).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Nederveen Pieterse, 1998:10
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Premisecitation§ history of colourism
Anger at the injustice of colourism has led to criticism of the casting of two actresses with light skin to play darker black women in recent years.
“Anger at the injustice of colourism has led to criticism of the casting of two actresses with light skin to play darker black women in recent years.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Chilton, 2013
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning§ conclusion
Multinational corporations are active and complicit in sustaining this racist and colourist beauty hierarchy.
“Multinational corporations are active and complicit in sustaining this racist and colourist beauty hierarchy.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation§ conclusion
This makes the politics of representation more complex as some people of colour seek to sustain its racist and colourist underpinnings.
“This makes the politics of representation more complex as some people of colour seek to sustain its racist and colourist underpinnings (Davis, 2003).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Davis, 2003 source
- Premisecitation§ conclusion
In the global beauty hierarchy, people of colour are often complicit in the very colourism that disadvantages them, reproducing it in their treatment of other people of colour, including within their own families.
“In the global beauty hierarchy, people of colour are often complicit in the very colourism that disadvantages them, reproducing it in their treatment of other people of colour, including within their own families.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Mama, 1995
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Dark Girls 2
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationcitation§ conclusion
The way in which the politics of beauty operates can be seen as an example of the phenomenon that Bourdieu describes as 'symbolic power' or 'symbolic violence'.
“The way in which the politics of beauty operates can be seen as an example of the phenomenon that Bourdieu (2007) describes as ' symbolic power ' or ' symbolic violence ' .”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Bourdieu, 2007
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Interpretationreasoning§ conclusion
The focus is often on trying to climb up the hierarchy through skin whitening and body modifications, rather than rejecting it altogether.
“Thus, the focus is often on trying to climb up the hierarchy through skin whitening and body modifications, rather than rejecting it altogether.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation§ skin whitening and ' ethnic cosmetic surgery '
Many people with black forebears who had skin light enough to 'pass' as white left their families and assumed white identities.
“Many people with black forebears who had skin light enough to ' pass ' as white left their families and assumed white identities (Davis, 2003).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Davis, 2003 source
- Interpretationreasoning§ history of colourism
These casting choices help to perpetuate the marginalisation of women with dark skin by rendering them invisible even at times when people with darker skin are being represented.
“These casting choices help to perpetuate the marginalisation of women with dark skin by rendering them invisible even at times when people with darker skin are being represented, and should, therefore, be seen.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning§ skin whitening and ' ethnic cosmetic surgery '
While cosmetic surgery is frequently presented as a matter of free choice, colourism and the politics of beauty help to show the constraints on agency.
“While cosmetic surgery is frequently presented as a matter of free choice, colourism and the politics of beauty help to show the constraints on agency.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationcitation§ conclusion
For some women of colour, skin lightening and/or ethnic cosmetic surgery is a pragmatic response to a global marketplace where it is economically and socially beneficial to have light skin and features that approximate whiteness.
“It seems that for some women of colour skin lightening and/or ethnic cosmetic surgery is a pragmatic response to a global marketplace where it is economically and socially beneficial to have light skin and features that approximate whiteness.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation§ history of colourism
This evokes the tradition in theatre and film of white actors 'blacked up' to play black characters.
“This evokes the tradition in theatre and film of white actors ' blacked up ' to play black characters (Lawson, 2012).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Lawson, 2012 source
- Interpretationnone given§ history of colourism
The prevalence of colourism means that the women of colour who are rendered visible as glamorous media stars are more likely to have light skin and features similar to those of white Europeans.
“The prevalence of colourism means that the women of colour who are rendered visible as glamorous media stars are more likely to have light skin and features similar to those of white Europeans (e.g., Halle Berry, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys and Thandie Newton, who each has one white parent, or Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Beyoncé and Zoe Saldana, who all have light skin).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Premisecitation§ conclusion
Mama found that some of her UK black women research participants had painful memories of their mothers telling them they were too dark.
“Mama (1995), for example, found that some of her UK black women research participants had painful memories of their mothers telling them they were too dark.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Mama, 1995
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- May combine two claims. 19
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 17
May combine two claims.
Findingown data§ i ntroductionTwitter searches under 'light skin' or 'light girls' contain problematic tweets, vulgar tweets suggesting light skin is synonymous with promiscuity, and tweets bemoaning that light-skinned girls are hard for boys and young men to attain.
“Twitter searches under ' light skin ' or ' light girls ' are no more encouraging. Amid the problematic ' light skin is the right skin ' tweets and other comments on the beauty of girls with light skin, there are vulgar tweets suggesting that light skin is synonymous with promiscuity, as well as tweets that bemoan the fact that ' girls ' with light skin are hard for boys and young men to attain.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingnone given§ i ntroductionTwitter searches related to 'dark girls' or 'dark skin' contain numerous jokes, abuse and derogatory comments directed at women with dark skin, often started and circulated by boys and young men, some of whom have dark skin themselves.
“As a black woman with dark skin I find Twitter searches related to ' dark girls ' or ' dark skin ' quite depressing because I know only too well that I will find numerous jokes, abuse and derogatory comments directed at women with skin like mine, often started and circulated by boys and young men, some of whom have dark skin themselves.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
Interpretationnone given§ i ntroductionFashion and beauty magazines regularly reproduce colourism.
“This epistemological impossibility is symbolically reproduced in everyday reading practices since fashion and beauty magazines regularly reproduce colourism.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ skin lightening in magazinesVanity Fair published a photograph in which Lupita Nyong'o appears considerably lighter than she actually is, and was criticised for it.
“She is not accused of bleaching her dark skin; rather Vanity Fair has been criticised for publishing a photograph in which the actress appears considerably lighter than she actually is ( Daily Mail , 2014).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Daily Mail, 2014
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
Premisecitation§ i ntroductionFor women of colour it is psychically difficult to live within a ruling episteme that privileges that which they can never be.
“For women of colour it is psychically difficult to live ' within a ruling episteme that privileges that which they can never be ' (Cheng, 2001:7).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Cheng, 2001:7
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ skin lightening in magazinesThe industry desire to whiten women of colour both reflects and helps sustain the racism that results in magazine circulation figures declining when black women feature on the cover.
“The industry desire to whiten women of colour both reflects and helps sustain the racism that results in magazine circulation figures declining when black women feature on the cover.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Fox, 2010
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Carr, 2002
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ i ntroductionRacism and colourism lead to the privileging of light skin.
“Racism and colourism lead to the privileging of light skin, and ' patriarchal patterns of desire ' mean women are still judged disproportionately on their looks (hooks, 2003).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites hooks, 2003
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Premisecitation§ skin lightening in magazinesThere have been many similar stories of women of colour appearing shades lighter in magazines or publicity photos, provoking accusations of skin lightening.
“There have been many similar stories of women of colour appearing shades lighter in magazines or publicity photos, provoking accusations of skin lightening.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Daily Mail, 2011
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Wilson, 2013
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Eriksen, 2012
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ i ntroductionPeople with light skin earn more money, complete more years of schooling, live in better neighborhoods, and marry higher-status people than darker-skinned people of the same race or ethnicity.
“People with light skin ' earn more money, complete more years of schooling, live in better neighborhoods, and marry higher-status people than darker-skinned people of the same race or ethnicity ' (Hunter, 2007:237).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Hunter, 2007:237 source
May combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ i ntroductionWomen with dark skin are at a disadvantage because skin shade is central to assessments of beauty, with light skin operating as a form of symbolic capital that is converted into economic capital and advantage in the 'heterosexual market'.
“However, women with dark skin are at a disadvantage because skin shade is central to assessments of beauty, with light skin operating as a form of symbolic capital that is converted into economic capital and advantage in the ' heterosexual market ' (Glenn, 2008; Jha and Adelman, 2009).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
Interpretationown data§ i ntroductionThe Twitter searches show the prevalence of colourism, prejudice on the basis of skin shade, and the ways it intersects with sexism to disempower women of colour.
“What the Twitter searches show is the prevalence of colourism, prejudice on the basis of skin shade and the ways in which it intersects with sexism to disempower women of colour.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.
Interpretationreasoning§ skin lightening in magazinesEven after winning awards and being nominated for others, Lupita Nyong'o's skin colour is considered too dark to feature in Vanity Fair.
“Even after winning awards, and being nominated for others, it seems that Nyong ' o ' s skin colour is considered too dark to feature in Vanity Fair.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Premisecitation§ skin whitening and ' ethnic cosmetic surgery 'Sander Gilman describes cosmetic surgery as a form of 'passing'.
“Sander Gilman describes ' cosmetic surgery as a form of ' passing ' ' (Davis, 2003:77), where a person takes on a new identity to access privileges and status, leaving behind the oppression of their former identity.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Davis, 2003:77 source
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Premisecitation§ history of colourismGlenn argues that a precolonial history does not nullify the contribution of colonialism in that the skin shade hierarchies established in areas colonized by Europeans cemented and generalized the privilege attached to light skin.
“Glenn (2008: 284), however, argues that a precolonial history does not nullify the contribution of colonialism in that the skin shade hierarchies ' established in areas colonized by Europeans cemented and generalized the privilege attached to light skin ' .”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Glenn, 2008:284 source
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
Premisecitation§ conclusionHunter argues that cosmetic changes to achieve lighter skin and white European features are rational given that they are likely to result in 'better opportunities in a competitive global marketplace'.
“Hunter (2007: 248) argues that cosmetic changes to achieve lighter skin and white European features are rational given that they are likely to result in ' better opportunities in a competitive global marketplace ' .”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Hunter, 2007:248 source
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
Interpretationnone given§ conclusionMultinational corporations derive considerable financial benefit from the cosmetic surgery industry and multi-billion dollar skin lightening industry that feeds on constructing people of colour as ugly, but remediable.
“They derive considerable financial benefit from the cosmetic surgery industry and multi-billion dollar skin lightening industry that feeds on constructing people of colour as ugly, but remediable.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ conclusionColourism will endure 'as long as the structure of white racism remains intact' and multinational corporations continue to make an enormous profit from exploiting it.
“Colourism will endure ' as long as the structure of white racism remains intact ' (Hunter, 2007:250) and multinational corporations continue to make an enormous profit from exploiting it.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Hunter, 2007:250 source
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
Premisecitation§ conclusionhooks argues that many adult black folks who do not believe in their heart of hearts that white is better feel they must 'wear the mask' to get ahead in jobs and careers.
“As hooks (2003:52) argues, ' many adult black folks who do not believe in their heart of hearts that white is better feel they must ' wear the mask ' to get ahead in jobs and careers ' .”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites hooks, 2003:52
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Premisecitation§ conclusionTwo decades later, some of those filmed in the US documentary Dark Girls 2 also said this.
“Two decades later, some of those filmed in the US documentary Dark Girls 2 also said this.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Dark Girls 2
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ conclusionColourism divides people of colour and those with the lightest skin derive some benefits from skin shade prejudice.
“The fact that colourism divides people of colour and that those with the lightest skin derive some benefits from skin shade prejudice (Hochschild, 2007) makes it all the more difficult to challenge.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Hochschild, 2007 source
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
Premisecitation§ conclusionPeople of colour can maintain healthy self esteem through decolonising the mind in spite of racism and white supremacy.
“However, as hooks (2003) argues, people of colour can maintain healthy self esteem through decolonising the mind in spite of racism and white supremacy.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites hooks, 2003
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ history of colourismZoe Saldana was cast to play Nina Simone in the biopic Nina and has been pictured wearing an Afro wig, prosthetic nose and makeup to darken her skin for the role.
“The actress Zoe Saldana, who is of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, was cast to play Nina Simone in the biopic Nina (Chilton, 2013) and has been pictured wearing an Afro wig, prosthetic nose and makeup to darken her skin for the role (Bull, 2012; Fisher, 2012).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Chilton, 2013
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Bull, 2012
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Fisher, 2012
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ conclusionMany of those disadvantaged by colourism fail to see that the beauty hierarchy is an 'arbitrary social construction' that advantages fair, white women and multinational corporations, but has deleterious consequences for many who fail to meet its strictures.
“Furthermore, many of those disadvantaged by colourism fail to see that the beauty hierarchy is an ' arbitrary social construction ' (Thompson, 2007[1991]: 23) that advantages fair, white women and multinational corporations, but has deleterious consequences for many who fail to meet its strictures.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Thompson, 2007[1991]:23
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim.
Premisecitation§ conclusionBourdieu argues that 'symbolic power is a power which presupposes recognition, that is, misrecognition of the violence that is exercised through it'.
“He argues that ' symbolic power is a power which presupposes recognition, that is, misrecognition of the violence that is exercised through it ' (2007:209).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Bourdieu, 2007:209
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Premisecitation§ history of colourismGlenn argues that skin shade variation within castes makes it hard to support the claim that the caste system in India promotes colourism.
“However, Glenn (2008) argues that skin shade variation within castes makes it hard to support this claim.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Glenn, 2008 source
May combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ skin whitening and ' ethnic cosmetic surgery 'Women of colour are burdened with the oppressiveness of a hegemonic beauty ideal that excludes the majority of the world's population, and are simultaneously exploited by multinational corporations determined to turn their vulnerabilities into financial gain.
“Women of colour are burdened with the oppressiveness of a hegemonic beauty ideal that excludes the majority of the world ' s population, and are simultaneously exploited by multinational corporations determined to turn their vulnerabilities into financial gain (Glenn, 2008).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Glenn, 2008 source
May combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ conclusionIn addition to recognising the potential economic and social benefits of skin lightening and 'ethnic cosmetic surgery', some women of colour have internalised the racism and colourism to which they have been exposed since birth, with resulting detrimental effects on their self esteem.
“However, in addition to recognising the potential economic and social benefits of skin lightening and ' ethnic cosmetic surgery ' , some women of colour have internalised the racism and colourism to which they have been exposed since birth, with resulting detrimental effects on their self esteem (hooks, 2003).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites hooks, 2003
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.
Interpretationreasoning§ history of colourismThe casting of Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone is doubly insulting as it suggests that skin shade was important for the role of Nina Simone, but not important enough to ensure that someone with dark skin was cast to play her.
“This is doubly insulting as it suggests that skin shade was important for the role of Nina Simone, but not important enough to ensure that someone with dark skin was cast to play her.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ skin whitening and ' ethnic cosmetic surgery 'In US history, the term 'passing' evokes the period when the 'one-drop rule' was enforced, legally designating those with a single drop of black blood or any known black ancestry as black.
“In US history, the term ' passing ' evokes the period when the ' one-drop rule ' was enforced (Davis, 2003), legally designating those with a single drop of black blood or any known black ancestry as black (Roth, 2005).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
Premisecitation§ skin whitening and ' ethnic cosmetic surgery 'The global skin lightening industry is expected to grow to US$19.8 billion by 2018.
“As a result, the global skin lightening industry is expected to grow to US$19.8 billion by 2018 (King, 2013), as women (and increasingly men -Paxman, 2011; Narayan, 2013) seek to access privileges afforded to those with light skin.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites King, 2013
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
May combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ conclusionThe global politics of beauty promulgates an aesthetic and hierarchy born of 'white supremacist thinking' and a 'white is right' ideology that is bolstered by the construction of an inferior dark other.
“The global politics of beauty promulgates an aesthetic and hierarchy born of ' white supremacist thinking ' (hooks, 2003) and a ' ' white is right ' ideology ' (Glenn, 2008) that is bolstered by the construction of an inferior dark other.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites hooks, 2003
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Glenn, 2008 source
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
Premisecitation§ history of colourismLight skin signified affluence in India (as in other countries), in contrast to the darker skin of the poor or working classes, which resulted from labouring outside.
“She suggests that light skin signified affluence in India (as in other countries -Hunter, 2007), in contrast to the darker skin of the poor or working classes, which resulted from labouring outside.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
The paper relies on this without support.
In the United Kingdom some women, and men, resort to skin bleaching in an attempt to access some of the privileges of lighter skin in the relationship and/or job market.
“In the United Kingdom some women, and men, resort to skin bleaching in an attempt to access some of the privileges of lighter skin in the relationship and/or job market.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The desire to be lighter is so great that some people with dark skin knowingly use illegal creams that contain harmful ingredients such as hydroquinone, mercury and corticosteroids because they are believed to be stronger and thus more effective.
“The desire to be lighter is so great that some people with dark skin even knowingly use illegal creams that contain harmful ingredients such as hydroquinone, mercury and corticosteroids because they are believed to be stronger and thus more effective.”
The paper relies on this without support.
'Ethnic cosmetic surgery' is proliferating.
“' Ethnic cosmetic surgery ' is also proliferating.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Skin shade hierarchies predate European colonialism, as evidenced by the privileging of light brown, yellow or reddish skin shades in precolonial Africa.
“Such arguments have led some historians and anthropologists to suggest that skin shade hierarchies predate European colonialism. The evidence in support of this viewpoint is that women with light brown, yellow or reddish skin shades were privileged in precolonial Africa.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Colourism is under-explored.
“While colourism is an important feminist issue, it is under-explored.”
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Due to patriarchal patterns of desire, women and men's experiences of colourism can differ, as women are typically judged on their looks more than men are, subjected to more societal appearance pressure, and held to different appearance ideals where light skin is consistently privileged.
“Due to “patriarchal patterns of desire” (hooks, 2003), women and men’s experiences of colourism can differ, as women are typically judged on their looks more than men are, subjected to more societal appearance pressure, and held to different appearance ideals where light skin is consistently privileged (Hill, 2002; Phoenix, 2014).”
From Skin shade and relationships: how colourism pits Black and mixed Black-White women against each other (2024) · cites this paper as Phoenix, 2014
Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Cites
The persistent problem of colorism: skin tone, status, and inequality
Hunter, M. (2007) · Sociology Compass · doi:10.1111/j.1751-9020.2007.00006.x · Cited by 763 · see citing works
White on black: images of Africa and blacks in western popular culture
(1993) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.30-3383 · Cited by 593 · see citing works
Cheng, A. A. (2000) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780195134032.001.0001 · Cited by 440 · see citing works
Mama, A. (2002) · Routledge · doi:10.4324/9780203405499 · Cited by 375 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Mama (1995), for example, found that some of her UK black women research participants had painful memories of their mothers telling them they were too dark.”
BackgroundYearning for lightness: transnational circuits in the marketing and consumption of skin lighteners
Glenn, E. N. (2008) · Gender & Society · doi:10.1177/0891243208316089 · Cited by 354 · see citing works
The Skin Color Paradox and the American Racial Order
Hochschild, J. L., & Weaver, V. (2007) · Social Forces · doi:10.1093/sf/86.2.643 · Cited by 325 · see citing works
The End of the One-Drop Rule? Labeling of Multiracial Children in Black Intermarriages
Roth, W. D. (2005) · Sociological Forum · doi:10.1007/s11206-005-1897-0 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
(2002) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 187 · see citing works
Jha, S., & Adelman, M. (2009) · Studies in South Asian Film & Media · doi:10.1386/safm.1.1.65_1 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Surgical Passing: Or Why Michael Jackson's Nose Makes `us' Uneasy
Davis, K. (2003) · Feminist Theory · doi:10.1177/1464700103004001004 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
S-155: Multiple Data Aggregation Levels in Inference for Small Area Disease Risk
Lawson, A. (2012) · Epidemiology · doi:10.1097/01.ede.0000417008.16212.84
Cheng, A. A. (2000) · The Melancholy of Race · doi:10.1093/oso/9780195134032.003.0001
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- Bourdieu P., 2007, Language & Symbolic Power
- Harrison M., 2010, The Jury Expert, 67
- Thompson J., 2007, Language & Symbolic Power, 1
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Phoenix, A., & Craddock, N. (2024) · Frontiers in Sociology · doi:10.3389/fsoc.2024.1495048 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Phoenix, A.
- Corresponding author
- Phoenix, Aisha
- ORCID
- Phoenix, Aisha
- Venue
- Feminist Review
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2014-11
- Volume
- 108
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 97-105
- ISSN
- 0141-7789 (ISSN-L)
- 1466-4380
- OpenAlex
- W2038299656
- Semantic Scholar
- 3765b0545244fce94f89fd81fce1701bbdc50f82
- Cited by
- 48
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 0.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Feminist Review (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Feminist Theory and Gender Studies
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Race, History, and American Society
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
- Keywords
- colorism, beauty standards, skin colour, race and gender
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-11.
Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-11.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
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