Shabin
In Saint Lucia, a shabin is the term used to describe a fair or light skin woman or man.
Colorism
According to Merriam-Webster (2021) colorism is prejudice or discrimination especially within a racial or ethnic group favoring people with lighter skin over those with darker skin.
Colorism can be interracial where a member of a racial group discriminates based on the skin color of a member belonging to a different racial group. Colorism can also be intraracial where a member of a racial group discriminates against the skin tone of another member of the same racial group.
White-ish misconception in the subconscious mind
I watched a lot of television as a child and I mostly saw people with a lighter complexion in shows, advertisements and movies. Most of the books I read and toys I played with were also that of white characters. I grew a strong liking for White people and light skin tones. It really was white supremacy being promoted and enforced. Constantly seeing people of a lighter skin tone made me love and accept them even more than I recognized.
At some point, I developed colorism towards my own kind and I wanted to marry a White man or a light skin guy with “nice hair” just so my children could look a certain way. I did not see how significant colorism was until I met my current partner who is dark skinned. After our complex discussions on race, skin tone, preference and relationships, I realize how badly I had been discriminating against my own race and the preference I developed as a result.
Growing up with a lighter skin tone
I can still hear people complimenting my mom on how pretty I looked as a child: smooth, clear, fair skin with no marks and thick, jet black hair. My mom took great pride in her children and did not want to see scars on our skin, not even from a bite from a mosquito or sand fly. My mom’s way of calling me pretty was always to shout, “ou blanche and ou led!” Some people would ask if I used stockings on my feet because of the clearness or if I bathed in milk.
Colorism in Saint Lucia
I have witnessed people laughing at others because of their darker complexion and even calling them ugly. In Saint Lucia, sometimes light skinned babies are called cute whilst dark skinned babies are told, “that nice color your parents have and that’s the color you see to take, why you have to be so black.”
We as a people are encouraging colorism by buying our children lighter skinned dolls with features far from what our children look like.
We have become a society that prefers whiteness or proximity to whiteness. Most of the local advertisements in Saint Lucia showcase people with “nice hair” or lighter skin tone.
Travel marketing agencies in Saint Lucia mostly show people with lighter skin tones site seeing, purchasing items and enjoying the country. Even the local vendors are people with a lighter skin tone. White supremacy is created in Saint Lucia because of the light skin tones portrayed in advertisements and even in the voice overs because they are that of a foreign accent with people “yanking.”
Shabin in Saint Lucia
If you are a shabin, have a nice shape, an accent and farless for “nice hair” then life will be easy for you in Saint Lucia because shabins do get light skin privilege.
When you are a shabin with what is termed hard hair then you might encounter some difficulties. I have experienced someone from my past telling me that they preferred Indian girls but I was an exception. Was that a compliment or an insult?
I have also encountered difficulties when I had to work alongside Indians especially when the employer found out that they came from wealth. I became non-existent… Some people love color, hair and money.
Light skin, brown skin, dark skin
It is not just the color of your skin but it is also the shade! For some, the color of their skin determine how they are treated at home, work and even in public. Darker skin tones are often believed to be less desirable and appealing. Whereas, light skin people are seen as being attractive, successful, desirable, educated and well-off.
Break the cycle
Tell people you love to see them instead of, “you look nice for a Black girl or your hair really long for a Black person.” Develop a non-judgemental attitude and respect for skin tones, hair type and texture, body shape and other features that look different from yours.
Make it a habit to purchase toys, books and games with characters that are your children’s skin tones. Sometimes, colorism can start at home with the things you say and the programs you allow children to watch. Be mindful and vigilant!
Why are we though
Many people have gotten used to using skin toners, skin lighters, hair relaxers and hair extensions to look a certain way. We now hate our skin and hair and do whatever it takes to look lighter, different, accepted and in style.
Black people have a lot of self-hate, discriminate against themselves and their own race and have been socially conditioned to follow White people and the trends set by other races, desire to live like other races, and completely neglect their own norms, culture and traditions.
Let’s discuss, share your thoughts, leave a comment
I experience colorism on a daily basis and I think that it is inescapable because of the upbringings, unawareness and mindset of some people.
Is there a thing as light skin privilege? Do shabins get it easier? The saying in Saint Lucia is, “shabins like to horn, are high maintenance, have a lot of heat and have su-pap- is this all a part of colorism? How many people have felt that the color of their skin was an advantage or disadvantage? What are your thoughts and beliefs on colorism?
Question for Black men? Why do you prefer White women or light skinned women or women with long, straight or curly hair as oppose to women with darker skin tones? Answer if it applies to you…
Question for Black women? Why do you prefer to have children with White men or a man with “nice” hair? Answer if it applies to you…
Reems Sonson
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Similar read but on “nice hair”
Reference
Marriam-Webster. (2021). Colorism. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colorism
Dear Reems, we would like to invite you to an event as a panelist. Do you have an email or phone number to send the invite.
Thank you. You could reach me on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. I go by the name Reems Sonson and Our Tropical Living on my social media accounts.
Nice. Love this piece
Everything you said here is the truth and unless we learn to accept each other for we are, the dicrimination against us by other races will never stop.
I agree that we should learn to accept each other Cindy. We discriminate against our own race. I have heard many people say, “he/she is too black, I don’t want him/her.” Colorism itself is a form of racism but just that Black’s do it unto Black’s most times.
Very valid points emphasised upon, especially it being programmed subconsciously from a child via TV Shows and social media. Black is indeed beautiful and the standard of beauty aimed at by. Society and plastered over by social media is not the only accepted standard of beauty that exists
Thank you for your comment Janel. I agree that Black is beautiful. Black people need to accept themselves and own their skin with pride and dignity despite their skin tone. Every shade of Black is beautiful.
Everything in your article is the absolute truth still to this day.
Yes it is Bev.