Discuss why is Colorism so prevalent in the Somali Community ?

[Kamma]

What people need is a healthy body. Every skin colour is beautiful and a healthy mind/soul will even beautify it.

 

[Peaches]

Most Somali's show apparent ignorance about the practice of exclusion and discrimination based on the skin tone of a person although it is a deep-rooted problematic practice embraced by both the oppressor and the victim. Colorism a topic in which the Somali Community for decades has ignored and labelled as nothing more than Western phenomenon. If this was the case, why are many people back home literally killing themselves in order to lighten their skin. The user's of many products such as diana know the risk associated with bleaching products, but still willing take the risks. So why are they going to such lengths for something as natural as skin color. Unlike other nations Somalia is a Homogeneous nation , which further confuses me how did colorism find its roots in the Somali society; how deeply does it influence the mass consciousness; and what are the reasons behind the prejudice and bias toward dark skin?As mentioned in a previous post , the stigma assoicated with Darkskin is horrendous . You are automatically seen as less "beautiful" and more undesireable . People skip over you in marriage considerations just cause of your skin and they don't want dark children.


Yes I admit featurism is a thing in Somalia aswell ,but it doesn't compare to colorism as a whole. Even if you have the perfect nose , forehead or whatever other feature that people desire. It won't change the fact that your skintone isn't optimal. In the West we are lucky enough to avoid the immediate effects of colorism from our community but for many colorism in many forms. Many of the insults used to disrespect Somali clans are based on colorism. Better yet ,when I say the terms "Mooryan" , "Tuug" , "Xasiid" , what kind of person are you imaging ? If you say a light-skin person you're capping . This isn't the fault of anyone but the refusal to address the issue is morally wrong.


Another issue I see the misappropriation of Islamic Texts to justify discrimation , comments such as " You can see they lack nur on their face " when they see a dark skin person. I don't know the actual source for this hadith I'm assuming but I feel this is the biggest player in the issue.The belief lighter skin = More Nur are somehow connected to each other. When it's winter people are complimenting your lighter skin and in Summer they are telling you how you should stay inside more cause your getting too dark.How many times has a family member seen the arrest warrant photo of a darkskin person and immedtialy thinks they must have done it. The benefit of doubt is taken away from people of darker complexion.


The image above is called the " The Redemption of Ham" which shows a Black mother with her mixed race daugther alongside her White Husband and daugther. This is the dream for many somali parents having lighter children, it's linked with wealth, being pious and much more. The Image above views Darkskin as a curse that hence the need to have lighter children I feel like this is the case for many people in somalia too. There Darkskin is curse which is why BOTH male and females engage in colorism especially when looking for partner. I refute the claim that Colorism only came into existence in Somalia due to European colonialism. That is a copeout to take away blame from Somali culture which has idolized Lighter skin via terms of endearment such as " Cadey" and passive aggressive comments to those with darker skin.

Colorism has always existed in Somali society in many different forms yet the concept is so foreign it doesn't even have a word in Somali. The same can be seen with gay people there is no word for Homosexual in Somali "Khanis" is derogatory term yet it is a fact gay people live in Somalia too. Just because a issue isn't talked about or labelled what it actually is doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I won't lie I used to be perpetuer of colorism , saying terms such as dhuxl and yellow eyes when arguing with people even when they weren't darkskin. The same way racism and tribalism are learnt colorism is too , making people aware of it's existence and countering the effects is moral and religious obligation. Always remember PBUH last sermon,

“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white – except by piety and good action."


This includes skintones people, so it's about time people stopped being ignorant on the issue and follow these words.


TLDR, I'm sad I think the English weather has finally token it's toll on me . Gonna Order some food

i love u for this