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Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 335
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 04:01 pm: | 
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Skin Tone More Important Than Educational Background for African Americans Seeking Jobs
Jobs and Race
Everyone knows about the insidious effects of racism in American society. But when it comes to the workplace, African-Americans may face a more complex situation--the effects of their own skin tone.
For the first time, a study indicates that dark-skinned African-Americans face a distinct disadvantage when applying for jobs, even if they have resumes superior to lighter-skinned black applicants.
Matthew Harrison, a doctoral student at the University of Georgia, presented his research today at the 66th annual meeting of the Academy of Management in Atlanta. Along with his faculty supervisor, Kecia Thomas, a professor of applied psychology and acting director of UGA's Institute for African American Studies, Harrison undertook the first significant study of "colorism" in the American workplace.
"The findings in this study are, tragically, not too surprising," said Harrison. "We found that a light-skinned black male can have only a bachelor's degree and typical work experience and still be preferred over a dark-skinned black male with an MBA and past managerial positions, simply because expectations of the light-skinned black male are much higher, and he doesn't appear as 'menacing' as the darker-skinned male applicant."
While there have been other studies of effects of colorism socially, this is the first study designed specifically to examine how it operates in hiring and in the workplace.
In America especially, Harrison says, when people think of race or race relations they commonly think of black and white. In fact, skin tone differences are responsible for increasing differences in perceptions within standard racially defined groups such as "blacks." This diversity within races based on skin complexion has a long history but only recently have researchers begun to understand what these differences can mean.
Participants in the study that Harrison, himself an African American, directed for his master's thesis included 240 undergraduate students at the University of Georgia, some of whom participated in the study voluntarily, while others got class credit for their involvement. While there were a disproportionate number of females in the study (72 percent), this was due to the high percentage of women majoring in psychology at UGA and was adjusted for in reporting the research.
Each student was asked to rate one of two resumes that came with one of three photographs of a theoretical job applicant (one man, one woman) whose skin color was either dark, medium or light. Harrison manipulated the skin tones of the applicants with Adobe Photoshop so facial characteristics could not be included in how the students rated the job applicants.
"Our results indicate that there appears to be a skin tone preference in regards to job selection," said Harrison. "This finding is possibly due to the common belief that fair-skinned blacks probably have more similarities with whites than do dark-skinned blacks, which in turn makes whites feel more comfortable around them."
Harrison refers in his paper to numerous studies that show that light skin is almost universally valued among all racial groups. Hierarchies based on light skin are prevalent in Hindu cultures in India, for example, and in Asian and Hispanic cultures as well.
"While the respondents in this study were University of Georgia students, we think we would find the same response no matter where such a study was done in the country," said Thomas. "When you consider that probably no more than 1 percent of industrial and organizational psychologists are black, you can see why a study like this just hasn't been done before regarding colorism in the workplace. There are real-world consequences to these issues."
Harrison said he was surprised that skin hue was even more important than education in evaluating job applicants.
"Given the increasing number of biracial and multiracial Americans, more research similar to this study should be performed so that Americans can become more aware of the prevalence of color bias in our society," he said. "The only way we are going to begin to combat some of the inequities that result due to the beliefs and ideologies that are associated with colorism is by becoming more aware of the prejudices we have regarding skin tone due to the images we are exposed to on a regular basis."
Society, he said, equates lighter skin with attractiveness, intelligence, competency and likeability, while we are often given a "much more dismal and bleak picture" of those who have darker skin.
"The more we challenge these images and our own belief systems," said Harrison, "the greater the likelihood we will judge an individual by his or her actual merit rather than skin tone."
http://www.emaxhealth.com/38/7043.html |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 6058
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 04:22 pm: |
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Alas, there should be scant real surprise here. However, some of you sistas who think only Black women disproportionately suffer the effects of colorism should note that lighterskinned Black MEN apparently enjoy advantages over darker BM in the hiring process. |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 336
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 04:46 pm: |
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You're absolutely right Abm; we rarely discuss the effects of colorism on dark-skinned brothers (dark black males) because we often make it a beauty issue and view it as a "game" between catty women, calling it "the light skin vs. dark skin debate," instead of focusing on the real issues: Education, Representation, Jobs, Poverty, Income and etcetera. Which we definitely need to stop. |
Sabiana
Veteran Poster
Username: Sabiana
Post Number: 68
Registered: 08-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 09:23 pm: |
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Alas, there should be scant real surprise here. However, some of you sistas who think only Black women disproportionately suffer the effects of colorism should note that lighterskinned Black MEN apparently enjoy advantages over darker BM in the hiring process.
Black men getting texturized hair? The gheri Curl?
"Instead of focusing on the real issues: Education, Representation, Jobs, Poverty, Income and etcetera. Which we definitely need to stop."
I agree. |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 342
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 09:44 pm: |
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In that case, allow me to revise: "...instead of relating it (colorism) to the real issues: Education, Representation, Jobs, Poverty, Income and etcetera. Which we definitely need to stop."
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Lil_ze
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Lil_ze
Post Number: 350
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 09:59 pm: |
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so how the hell does he or anyone hope to challenge this "alleged" preference for lighter skin people? 240 people take part in some study at some college, and this is proof of something? notice how the person who conducted this "study" stated that more research needs to be done on this "alleged" issue. of course im sure he'd like to be the one conducting the study, and recieving funds to carry out hid "alleged" research. 240 college people is proof of nothing. and if this "alleged" study is proof of something, what is anybody going to to about it? |
Serenasailor
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 729
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 10:44 pm: |
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Oh boy Here comes Lil_ze the dark-skinned spokesperson for the H.Y.A(High Yellas of America). |
Lil_ze
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Lil_ze
Post Number: 351
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 11:09 pm: |
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im not "dark skin", you jerk. im brown skin. michael jordan is dark skin. wesely snipes is dark skin. im not. |
Nels
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Nels
Post Number: 528
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 03:43 am: |
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Lil_ze --
"im not "dark skin", you jerk. im brown skin. michael jordan is dark skin. wesely snipes is dark skin. im not."
Does it really matter? |
Lil_ze
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Lil_ze
Post Number: 352
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 05:00 pm: |
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well nels, YES it does matter. if someone said you had blue eyes and your eyes were green, would you correct them? if someone was arab and someone told them they were chinese, would it be logical for an arab to correct the person who was calling them chinese?
so it does matter, because facts are facts and lies are lies. im not light skin and im not dark skin either. so if a person said i was light skin id correct them. the same way i corrected ss for saying im dark skin, because im not. i hope this answered your question. |
Nels
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Nels
Post Number: 529
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 02:09 am: |
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Lil_ze --
Good luck in trying to convince those who can't be convinced. Since I'm not affected, I'll be a bystander on this one.
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Va_sis
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Va_sis
Post Number: 113
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 09:26 am: |
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240 college people is proof of nothing. and if this "alleged" study is proof of something, what is anybody going to to about it?
The best that ANYONE can do is start with self & family. But the sad reality is, too many of us are wrapped up in what we feel are more pressing issues...like job security, how to stop the bill collectors from calling, what outfit we're wearing to the club, why haven't our bf/gf called today.
So to REALLY answer your question....nothing. |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 348
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 12:33 pm: |
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Va_sis,
Starting with self & family may not be so easily attainable under the present circumstances. Many blacks (and whites) aren't even aware that they practice this kind of behavior. And scores of the ones who do understand are under the impression that nobody cares enough to challenge their actions. It’s impossible to solve a problem that folks either don't know or refuse to acknowledge that they have. I understand your point--for the most part I agree--but apparently some trust that alerting people to their behavior and making them realize that such will no longer be tolerated, is the first step to “doing something about it.”
Btw, this presumed invalid--(“alleged”)--U.S. study, which was conducted by a black man, is making some very impressive headlines.
I don't think it's a happenstance---it’s influential people grasping at an issue that most feel is long overdue, IMO:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/08/skin_tone.html
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060817-095002-2426r |
Brownbeauty123
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Brownbeauty123
Post Number: 854
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 02:25 pm: |
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Tonya, why do you think some AA's refuse to acknowledge this problem? |
Lil_ze
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Lil_ze
Post Number: 356
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 06:25 pm: |
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because most aa don't think about this overblown non-issue. its only a handful of money hungry con-men researchers or a handful of jealous people who actually give a dam about an issue that is really not an issue. nobody can do anything about this alleged issue. what the hell is anybody going to "do" about this "issue"? what is the issue? there are some people who have light skin, and this is an issue? what would some of these people who think this is an issue thats "long overdue", like to see happen? elimination of light skin people? light skin people enslaved? a national holiday titled "light skin people are not as beautiful as dark skin people"? its just so stupid.
please someone tell me what they hope will come from this "alleged" research, that deals with a UNCHANGABLE fact of life. media outlets love to jump on anything that divides our people. but 240 college students involved in some kind of subjective research, means nothing. it only means something to the person who is conducting the alleged "reaserch". im sure the person who put this "study" toghether is licking his chops waiting for funding to further "study" this "issue". good for him so many people are totally color-struck. he can continue his research very comfortably. id love to know what exactly is he attempitng to accomplish other than get publicity for himself? |
Nels
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Nels
Post Number: 531
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 10:19 pm: |
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Just imagine this experiment on reaction. A group of 300 "blacks" (for lack of a better word) are anonymously distributed color-coded tickets. 100 get one color, another 100 another color, and the final 100 the remaining color.
They are then instructed to report to an auditorium or large room separated into three groups of seats positioned side by side. Each group (identified by their ticket’s color) is to arrive to be seated at a different time (in the dark - without the lights on). Each section of seats is separated from those adjacent by a temporary partition.
After all 300 people are seated, a camera positioned in front of them on the stage rolls. The partitions are removed and then the lights are turned on. Much to the participant’s surprise, they have been seated by skin color: blue black to chocolate brown, cinnamon brown to light brown, and cashew yellow to fair.
Now just imagine being able to record their individual thoughts when they actually see whom they are grouped with and with whom they are not.
The point is that whether the research is subjective or not, the response and metrics drawn from that research can in many cases be fairly predictable.
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