The Color Complex (Paperback)

by Kathy Russell (Author), Midge Wilson Ph.D. (Author), Ronald Hall (Author) "To trace the origins of the color complex, we must return to the year 1607 when three ships sailed into Chesapeake Bay, stopping at Jamestown,..." (more)
Key Phrases: intraracial color discrimination, color harassment, color gap, African Americans, New York, Civil War (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Drawing on interviews, history and sociology, the authors--a black woman, a white woman and a black man--ably survey the highly charged issue of discrimination among blacks on the basis of skin color. Their focal points range from miscegenation in colonial America to the historical role of the light-skinned elite in black churches and universities to trends in the hiring of black actors and models. The issues are complex: multiracial people debate whether they should consider themselves black or white, and a case of alleged "color harassment" has even reached the federal courts. Finally, as these authors persuasively argue, "Nearly everything the Blackstet cap woman (or man) does to her (or his) stet parens appearance is interpreted politically." Russell is a scriptwriter and poet; Wilson teaches psychology and women's studies at DePaul University in Chicago; Hall is a professor of social work at Augsburg College in Minneapolis.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
A provocative examination of how differences in color and features among African Americans have played and continue to play a role in their professional lives, friendships, romances, and families. "A much needed and insightful examination of color prejudices which persist among African Americans."--Alvin F. Poussaint.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (October 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385471610
• ISBN-13: 978-0385471619
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #269,436 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Color Complex, January 21, 2000

By	a.adams (USA) - See all my reviews

EXCELLENT! This is a book that one cannot put down. The issue of color discrimmination is rampant within the communities of color be it black, hispanic, etc. Although I cannot say if I have suffered intraracial color bias, I know it exists. When I look at Ebony Magazine, Jet, etc. I feel that these publications have a fetish for light skinned people! I know of light skinned blacks that absolutley will not marry or get involved with anyone dark skinned or one that does not have "european" features. i have worked with African Americans that only allowed their daughters to date white boys! For fear of having children with dark skin and "bad" hair. This book tells the truth about the role of skin tone ,hair texture and self hatred in the black community.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our "Dirty Laundry" is Stinkin' up the House!, January 2, 2003

By	D. A. Martin "Avid Reader" (Morocco) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I first read "The Color Complex" as a college student in 1996. As a dark-skinned Black male, this book brought to light the lion's share of all of the ostracism, ridicule, and occasional bullying that I experienced as a child. It also made me realize that a large segment of the Black community still does not want to acknowledge (let alone deal with) the fact that Black intra-racial color discrimination is still alive and well. Never under-estimate the power of denial.

It is very hypocritical that many Black "leaders (?)" prefer to always point the finger at White America for all of its sins, yet refuse to challenge us as Black folks to take a good, hard look at ourselves and how we treat each other. Bravo to the authors for "airing our dirty laundry" in a way that forces much needed and long overdue Black American community introspection.

This book will make some uncomfortable, but that's the point! Just like "Losing the Race" by John McWhorter, this books represents a much-needed wake-up call for Black Americans.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Important Book, June 28, 2000

By	M. Hill (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book brings out of the closet a subtle yet important issue facing the African American community. I recommend it but give it 4 stars because of several weaknesses. Foremost, the authors do not provide a compelling political analysis of colorism, which I believe stems from the structure of race relations (white priviledge supported by U.S. institutions). Instead, they (unintentionally?) imply that humans have a species-wide tendency to favor light skin tone when they discuss similar color biases is several other selective populations.

Secondly, the composition and prose could have been a bit more polished.

The classic 1960's book BLACK RAGE touches on this and related issues. I would recommend that. Also, Itabari Njeri has a nice article on colorism in the Gerald Early's book LURE AND LOATHING.