http://www.utexas.edu/news/
What is it about dark skin that the entire world seems to dislike? In a study conducted by Dr. Andrés Villarreal, associate professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin, he demonstrates that Mexico deals with similar social inequalities as many Black Americans. In a survey of 2,000 participants, Dr. Villarreal discovered there are major differences in socioeconomic status, education and occupation between Mexicans with white skin (blanco/guero), light brown skin (moreno claro) and dark brown skin (moreno oscuro). He found that, “Respondents in the lowest occupational categories, such as domestic workers, manual workers, drivers and security guards, are much more likely to be in the dark-brown category and less likely to be in the white category than are respondents in the highest status occupations, such as office supervisors, professional workers and employers.” Why does this seem to be the case in every country? Originally I thought it was being of African descent, and being associated with a perceived primitive lifestyle and religion not accepted by White Americans. However, this study has nothing to do with Africa. So, what is it about any form of dark skin that puts people at such a disadvantage? What does dark skin associate people with, and why? Is it dark-skinned inequalities that we should be studying, or is it white skinned privileges that we should be observing? What is it about having white skin that is so great??
I’ve began to realize that even in the US, many Mexicans (and Latinos in general) in high ranked jobs and higher education tend to be white as well, yet we still assume that skin color is not a factor in equality.
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