COLORISM

Effects on Latina
Women
By: Maria I Santos
Bertolli
WHAT IS COLORISM?
Colorism is a prejudice or discrimination against
individuals with a dark skin tone typically among people
of the same ethnic or racial group.
HISTORY OF COLORISM:
CASTA: AS A HIERARCHICAL SYSTEM OF RACE CLASSIFICATION
CREATED BY SPANISH ELITES (ESPAOLES) IN HISPANIC AMERICA
DURING THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

The "whiter" the heritage a person could claim, the higher in

status they could claim; darker features meant less opportunity.
Both the Spanish colonial state and the Church required more
tax and tribute payments from those of lower socio-racial
categories
Castais an Iberian word (existing inSpanish,Portugueseand
other Iberian languages since the Middle Ages), meaning "
lineage", "breed" or "race."
The idea of "purity of blood",limpieza de sangre, developed in
Christian Spain to denote those without the "taint" of Jewish or
Muslim heritage ("blood").
The Inquisition only allowed those Spaniards who could
demonstrate not to have Jewish and Moorish blood to emigrate
to Latin America.
 Social Structure After
Was used to to
Colonization
describe as a
whole and
socially rank the
mixed-race
people who were
born during the
post-Conquest pe
riod
.

Created by
Hispanic
Elites
Indigenous Women of Mexico, Central America and South
America

Lighter skin is favored as darker skin is connected to

historically oppressedpopulations of African decent and
indigenous people.
EXAMPLES
DOMINICAN BOY
STRAIGHTENING HAIR IS
VERY COMMON EVEN AT THE
YOUNG AGE OF 4 YEARS OLD
Mixed and indigenous races were
required to take on the Spaniards
cultural ways, religion and way of
dress in order to be accepted and
rewarded. The system of castas
left lasting effects,Even now
these beliefs rejecting their curly
hair, and dark skin.
Straightening curly hair and
using soaps and cremes for skin
lightening is not only practiced
by women.
PRIVILEGE
Latin American Telenovelascast actors who are
light skin in starring roles and dark skin women as
maids.
Aracely Aramabula is amexican actress and
singer born in Chihuahua MX
Aired for 4 seasons

A show about sexy vixen maids

working for some of the most
powerful families in Beverly Hills,
CA who are white.
These stereo typical roles
continue to tell the Latina
community this is all you can be.
A flamenco guitar tone
introduces every time a Latina
actress enters the screen.
JUDY REYES AS CARLA
ESPINOZA ONSCRUBS
The frustration with the stereotypical roles television
shows isthat Hispanics don't have more characters
on television that represent them as nurses, doctors
and lawyers.
A role she took after the cancellation of Devious
Maids.
She is Bronx born to Dominican immigrants.
Her role as a sassy nurse is a breathe of fresh
air for Latinas in TV.
HOW TO CHANGE
Through open dialogue of what colorism is, the Latin community leaves the door open to
stop the cycle of learneddiscriminatory views and feelings towards brown skin. Love and
acceptance of the blended races in the Latin community embracing allour brownness is
the start to change the cycle of the bigoted views that once
suppressedindigenouscultures and mixed races that make up the Hispanic ethnicity. This
is needed so that future generations can rise upand be the change that is needed.
CHANGE STARTS AT HOME
If Latinos are represented, then they will continue to play stereotypes
Through Latinos representing diverse writersin the writing room controlling
the words and images the actors will portray three dimensional diverse
writers are brought to life.
The acknowledgment of colorism in homes andthe correction of
discriminatory actions amongst our own race is where the change has to
begin.
No social problem can exist or cease to exist without community level
action.