colordiscrimination

Color discrimination refers to differential treatment, bias, or prejudice directed at individuals because of their skin color or complexion. It is commonly described as colorism and can occur within as well as between racial or ethnic groups. While related to racism, color discrimination focuses on shade rather than race as a category.

In employment, color discrimination can influence hiring decisions, promotion, pay, and job assignments; in housing and lending, applicants may face denials or unfavorable terms; in education and health care, students and patients may receive disparate treatment. Color bias also appears in media representation and in policing, where darker skin tones may be associated with negative stereotypes.

Causes include enduring stereotypes linking lighter skin with superiority, or competence, historical legacies of colonialism and caste, and ongoing systemic practices such as biased assessments, recruitment, or consumer preferences. Colorism can operate across generations and social strata and often intersects with other forms of discrimination, including gender or ethnicity.

Legal frameworks vary by country. In many jurisdictions, color discrimination is protected under broader anti-discrimination laws that ban racial discrimination; some places have specific provisions on color or skin tone in housing, employment, or credit. Remedies include enforcement by equal opportunity agencies, court actions, anti-bias training, blind screening, standardized evaluation procedures, and affirmative-action measures where appropriate.

Research uses audits, experiments, and large-scale surveys to document color bias and its consequences. The effects can include reduced economic opportunities, impaired educational outcomes, diminished self-esteem, and unequal access to services, contributing to broader social inequality. Awareness and policy reforms are central responses.

Color discrimination remains a persistent social issue that requires ongoing data collection, oversight, and culturally informed interventions to reduce bias and promote equitable treatment across skin tones.