Wendel Abel
WE HAVE made great strides in erasing the impact of skin colour. Skin colour differences, however, is a loaded and toxic issue and will continue to impact on the individual and the national psyche in a manner far more profound than we sometimes realise. Individual self-definition, self-esteem and social relations are still influenced by skin colour. In this article I explore some issues around skin colour.
DENIGRATION OF THE BLACK MAN
Colour has many meanings for black people. For some of us it symbolises pride but many black persons still struggle with the denigration of blackness. Metaphors such as 'black as sin', 'black Friday', 'the black sheep' serve to
reinforce the stereotypes.
For some, blackness symbolises the painful horrors and exploitation of slavery. Many black persons still suffer from an inferiority complex and in many black families, skin colour, hair texture and body characteristics are still toxic issues with the lightest-coloured child being the most prized. In addition, many blacks continue to endure discrimination in subtle forms. When P.J. Patterson became Prime Minister, there were many who contended and there are still those who believe that "black man can't rule."
RESENTMENT TOWARD THE BROWNING
In the plantation society, the dark-skinned slaves existed at a lower level than the light-skinned slaves who were offsprings of whites. These light-skinned slaves became house servants, tended to have greater access to education and social mobility and were given many privileges and enjoyed a greater level of favouritism. They also considered themselves superior to the dark-skinned slaves. This trend continued up until the 60s when it was certainly easier for light- skinned individuals to gain an education, certain jobs, social mobility and social privileges. In today's Jamaica, there are light-skinned persons who consider themselves superior to persons of a darker skin complexion. Many of them exude and exercise an attitude of entitlement which sometimes incurs anger and resentment among others.
The light-skinned person may sometimes experience alienation. A brown-skinned Jamaican once said to me, "I grew up feeling that I was too dark to be white and too light to be black. I felt I never really belonged."
ALIENATION OF THE WHITES
Many blacks still have resentment toward whites and blame them for perpetuating the vicious system of slavery. Many whites find it difficult to survive in this society as they become victims of reverse racism. They are harassed, they have insults hurled at them, are called names and become targets for crime and violence. Is it surprising that we rarely see white Jamaicans walking below Manor Park?
MARRIAGE AND SOCIAL RELATIONS
Marriage to darker-skinned person still creates tension in families. Many persons still consider a lighter-skinned partner as a great prize. It is worthwhile noting the preference of many white or brown-skinned Jamaicans for Chinese Jamaicans and lighter-skinned Jamaicans of Indian extract!
In this colour-sensitive and toxic environment it is very difficult for a white person to make a genuine mistake in regards to a black person, as this may be interpreted as racism. Many persons still hold black persons in this country with contempt and they consider them lazy and unambitious. Brown persons are perceived as loaded with "attitudes" and contemptuous.
This matter of colour still affects our attitudes, thinking and behaviour and this has created many social and psychological problems. Slavery created many nasty scars, colonialism reinforced the division, distrust and alienation and the ideological struggles of the 70s reopened the nasty wounds. We need to explore and discuss some of these issues in order to create a more harmonious society.
Dr. Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer, University of the West Indies (Mona); phone: 922-3216; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
