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The Routledge International Handbook of Colorism book cover

1st Edition

The Routledge International Handbook of Colorism

Edited By Ronald E. Hall, Neha Mishra Copyright 2025
    464 Pages 28 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This timely and unique edited book explores the concept of colorism, which is discrimination based on the color of a person’s skin. It takes a global approach that draws on authentic voices from varied contexts and is dedicated to exploring and enriching the diverse intellectual discourse on colorism.

    The book explores colorism across the globe and studies how it has been woven into the cultural fabric of communities of color. With 22 chapters organised geographically into parts representing six continents, it explores various facets of colorism, offering international insights beyond a Western perspective. The handbook examines policy-making in the sphere of colorism across the globe and provides thoughtful insights on colorism discrimination in different contexts. Chapters are written by leading experts from different disciplinary backgrounds who present cutting-edge research on the topic of colorism in different country contexts, contributing to a global dialogue on colorism.

    The Routledge International Handbook of Colorism comprehensively highlights colorism across different regions and will be fascinating reading for students and academics in psychology, social work, education, criminal justice, and other social sciences. It will also be of interest to those working in areas relating to marginalization, human rights, diversity and inclusion.

    Opening Thoughts

    Preface: Colorism as New World Order
    Dr. Ronald E. Hall and Dr. Neha Mishra

    Part 1: Australia

    1. Considerations on Colorism and Colonialism: Murdoch Media, Colorism and The White Australia Policy
    Dr. Aletha Penrith


    2. Colonialism Shapes the Skin Tone Hierarchy in Australia
    Dr. Latocia Keyes


    3. Colourism, authenticity and belonging in Australia
    Dr. John Scott


    Part 2: North America

    4. Colorism in the Workplace
    Dr. Donnamaria Culbreth


    5. The Many Shades of Colorism in the U.S.: The Diverse Cultural Origins of Attitudes Toward Dark and Tanned Skin
    Dr. Hsin-Yu Chen and Dr. Nina G. Jablonski


    6. “What Color Are You?” A Critical Autoethographical about Race and Color
    Dr. Adah Ward Randolph

    7. Coconut Colorism in Latinx-American Denigration of Dark Skin: Introduction to Hall’s Q Sort Mathematical Equation
    Dr. Ronald E. Hall

    8. Filipinx American Colorism: Narratives from the Bay Area Skin Stories (BASS) Project
    Drs. Joanne L. Rondilla, Lesther A. Papa, Christian John S. Aurelio, Darmae Lehua M. Bumatay Kevin Roi E. Cabe, Nicole Aryanne D. Estrella, Arianna Nicole E. Orsua, Kayla Celest C. Taduran, Kayla P. Le, and Emily K. Thach


    Part 3: Europe

    9. The Colorism Campaign of Mizrahi Feminists
    Dr. Henriette D. Kalev

    10. Complicating the Idea of Light-Skin Privilege in the UK
    Dr. Aisha Phoenix and Dr. Nadia Craddock


    Part 4: Africa

    11. An Afrocentric Analysis of Colorism: Looking at Beauty and Attractiveness Through African Eyes
    Dr. K Garang & Dr. Uzo Anucha


    12. A Consequence of Colonialism: Colorism in Kenya and South Africa
    Dr. Teisha Dupree-Wilson

    13. Colorism and Albinism in the New Millennium Africa: A Fireside Chat
    Dr. Culbreth, Ms. Thando Hopa and Dr. Ronald E. Hall


    Part 5: Asia

    14. The Color of Beauty in Asia
    Dr. Julie Jung

    15. Colorism in Chinese English Language Learning Schools: Whiteness, Advertising, and the Internet
    Dr. Nick J. Sciullo and Dr. Pengpeng

    16. Colorism in Nepal
    Dr. Shankar PR/ Dr. Paudel S

    17. Colorism and Pakistan
    Dr.Tanzeela Khalid/ Dr. Sana Arshad

    18. Colorism in East and Southeast Asia
    Dr. Ronda F. Lo, Dr. Hannah I. Pearson, Dr. Joni Y. Sasaki, Dr. Jacqueline M. Chen


    Part 6: South America

    19. Sangre Negra: Narratives and Reflections on Colorism and Heritage From a Black/Afro-Dominican-Haitian Latina
    Dr. Johannil Napoleón


    20. Wider Palette of Colorism: Adding Complexity And Breadth to Conceptualization and Measurement
    Dr. John A. Garcia


    21. Incomplete, Half-Breed, and Cholo: Racialization and Mestizaje among Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and Peruvians
    Dr. Azucena Verdín

    22. Latinx Colorism
    Dr. Keara K. Goin

    Index

    Biography

    Ronald E Hall is a Professor at the School of Social Work, Michigan State University, United States. His research focuses on mental health, intra-racial racism, Bleaching syndrome and Colorism litigation.

    Neha Mishra as an Associate Professor of Law at O.P. Jindal Global University, India. Her research focuses on colorism in Asia, intersection of human rights law and marginalization, child rights and victimology from gendered lens.

    "The Routledge International Handbook of Colorism is the most significant pioneering work on colorism to be published. Comprised of voices, stories, historical perspectives, research, and lived experiences of diverse international writers representing the six continents, the handbook thoroughly examines colorism and all its complexity."

    Donnamaria Culbreth, Colorism Project, Inc.

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