@article{Garcia2021,
       author = "Garcia, Ashley",
       title =  {{The Implications of Skin Tone Stratification in Latinx Perspectives of Race}},
       howpublished = "\url{https://ir.hamilton.edu/do/b9709623-6610-4ccf-a73c-5a12d0c0fca6}",
       institution = {Hamilton College},
       year = 2021,
       month = jan,
       school = {Sociology, Women's and Gender Studies},
}

Creator

Date

January 6th, 2021

Description

Though decades of scholarly literature have examined racial discrimination against Black folx by non-Hispanic whites, much remains unknown about anti-Blackness and its influence on a skin tone stratification system, or colorism, within the Latinx community. To investigate how racism and colorism are intrinsically linked, this study examines how Latinx folx self-identify, interact socially, and define race. As many as 22 interviews were conducted to discuss the interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships respondents had with race. From these interviews, I gather three main findings: 1) Latinx people have a difficult time defining "race” both individually and collectively, and as a result, struggle to self-identify; 2) Self-identification is influenced by colorism, a skin tone hierarchy that demonizes darkness and Blackness, and results in Latinx individuals refusing to identify as Black; 3) The understanding of racial identification is impacted by the absence of a concrete definition for "race,” the implementation of a limited racial binary, and lack of conversations regarding racism in the Latinx community. By unpacking the often coded anti-Blackness present in the Latinx community, we can move towards disrupting racial hierarchies that invade one’s educational attainment, job opportunities, residential spaces, and psychological well-being.

Type of Work

• Research Paper

Institution

Hamilton College

Area of Study

• Sociology
• Women's and Gender Studies

Advisor

Sponsor

• Levitt Public Affairs Center

Series

Levitt Research Fellows Program

Part of Collection

Levitt Public Affairs Center

Rights Statement

The copyright for this work is held by its creators and Hamilton College. More information