Color Is More Than Skin Deep

Exploring colorism through Jungian psychology and art therapy.

Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer

Key points

• Colorism privileges lighter skin, harming identity and self-esteem, especially for women and girls of color.
• Clients often resist discussing colorism due to shame, requiring sensitive, trauma-informed strategies.
• Shadow work and art therapy help externalize and process emotions of shame and anger tied to colorism.
• Clinicians must understand colorism to validate clients’ experiences and foster healing and self-acceptance.

Years ago, I facilitated a trauma-informed process group for BIPOC women, each navigating the complexities of race, gender, and intergenerational trauma. As an art therapist of color, I expected some resistance when addressing race, but nothing prepared me for the overwhelming silence that greeted the topic of colorism. Women who had previously shared deeply personal stories about abuse and loss suddenly grew awkward and hesitant. Eyes darted nervously as some dismissed the discussion altogether, stating they did not see how it applied to them. Even in a space dedicated to healing, colorism—an insidious form of discrimination rooted in white supremacy—was too painful and too shameful to confront directly. Why is this the case, and how can therapists navigate such a difficult yet necessary dialogue?

Understanding Colorism and Its Historical Context

Colorism, a term coined by Alice Walker in 1982, refers to prejudice or discrimination against individuals with darker skin tones within the same racial or ethnic group (Walker, 1983). Unlike racism, which runs across different races, colorism functions within racial communities, privileging those with lighter skin. This phenomenon has roots in colonial histories where European standards of beauty were imposed on colonized communities, creating hierarchies of worthiness based on skin tone (Hunter, 2007). In countries like India and Latin America, centuries of caste and colonial systems merged to entrench colorist ideologies that persist today. For some communities of color, colorism reinforces internalized oppression, complicating their racial identity and leading to profound psychological impacts.

Today, colorism manifests in many ways, from favoritism towards lighter-skinned children within families to biased hiring practices and media portrayals that elevate Eurocentric features. This ongoing reinforcement of lighter skin as superior can cause internal conflicts and self-doubt, particularly among women and girls of color, who face immense social pressure to conform to narrow ideals of attractiveness. Lighter-skinned women often receive more praise and opportunities, while darker-skinned women are subjected to teasing, exclusion, and criticism, creating a cycle of internalized shame and competition that profoundly affects self-esteem and mental health (Hall, 2017).

Integrating Jungian Shadow Work and Art Therapy

Jungian shadow work, combined with art therapy, offers a powerful approach to addressing the deep-rooted pain associated with colorism. In Jungian theory, the "shadow" represents the parts of ourselves that we reject or consider unacceptable (Jung, 1959). For many BIPOC clients, feelings of inferiority or self-hatred related to their skin tone are pushed into the shadow, creating an internal split that hinders self-acceptance and psychological integration.

Shadow work involves bringing these hidden aspects of the self to consciousness, confronting them with compassion and understanding. By acknowledging and embracing the shadow, individuals can reclaim parts of themselves that have been marginalized or oppressed, leading to greater wholeness and self-acceptance (Hollis, 2008). Art therapy provides a unique, non-verbal medium through which clients can explore these complexities and express emotions that might be too challenging to articulate verbally. For those struggling with internalized colorism, artmaking allows for the externalization of difficult feelings, such as shame or anger. Clients might be invited to depict their shadow self using colors, symbols, or abstract forms—transforming these emotions into visual representations that encourage emotional release and powerful insights.

Additionally, art therapy encourages experimentation and play, allowing clients to explore complex and often contradictory emotions like love, envy, or sadness without the constraints of language. This makes it an ideal approach for addressing nuanced topics like colorism, which may evoke conflicting feelings. Through art, clients can visually map out these emotions, providing a starting point for deeper reflection and dialogue. Shadow work combined with art therapy helps clients integrate suppressed feelings, transforming self-hate into self-acceptance and promoting healing.

Exploring Intergenerational Impact

Art and journaling can also be used to explore the intergenerational impact of colorism. Clients might create visual narratives reflecting how biases around skin tone have been passed down through family or community, revealing patterns and internalized beliefs that shape their sense of worth. For example, they may create a family tree where lighter and darker family members are portrayed differently, exposing hidden dynamics of privilege and rejection. By bringing these dynamics to light, clients can gain a clearer understanding of how colorism has influenced their lives and relationships.

Through this creative process, clients are supported in redefining their self-image, embracing their identity, and developing a new sense of empowerment beyond the harmful constructs of colorism. This approach not only eases personal healing but also challenges the societal narratives that perpetuate colorist ideologies.

Why Awareness of Colorism Matters for All Clinicians

Given the pervasive impact of colorism, it is essential for clinicians to be aware of how it affects clients' self-perception, relationships, and mental health. A lack of awareness can inadvertently reinforce the shame and secrecy surrounding colorism, preventing clients from addressing this issue in therapy. Therapists should educate themselves on the historical context of colorism and remain attuned to how it may surface in clients' narratives, approaching it with sensitivity and openness (Sue et al., 2007).

Moreover, colorism often intersects with other forms of oppression, such as sexism, classism, and homophobia, compounding its effects. For example, a dark-skinned Black woman may experience not only colorism within her community but also misogynoir—a specific form of racialized sexism. Understanding these intersections enables clinicians to provide more comprehensive and affirming care.

Final Thoughts

Addressing colorism in therapy requires courage, empathy, and a willingness to navigate uncomfortable terrain. Through the combined power of Jungian shadow work and art therapy, a space can be created where clients of color can confront and heal from the wounds of colorism. By bringing the shadow into the light, clients can break free from internalized oppression and reclaim their full, authentic selves. For therapists, this work is not only about fostering individual healing but also about dismantling the legacies of colonialism and white supremacy that continue to shape the lived experiences of people of color.