'Colourism' A Social Phenomenon: Skin tone affecting job opportunities

Audiences: #Caribbeandiospora #AfricanAmericans #YoungProfessionals #MediaPractitioners #ColouredPeople #Colouredfolks #ethnicGroups

There are few things that one considers the night before a job interview that determines their financial fate. Whether its if they rehearsed the answers for potential interview questions correctly, or if their hair cut, or style and outfit are appropriate for the interview. However, if only they knew that the colour of their complexion would be essential in determining whether they were successful in the job interview or recruitment process. In 2017, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Kansas found that darker skin still negatively affects someone's chances at a job at least among men. Research indicated that dark-skinned men are often perceived as being too threatening or frightening in nature in particular corporate companies.

Jamaican Managing director of the Sunset Palms Resorts, Ian Kerr, explained in an interview with the gleaner in 2019 stated "that it is no secret that there is a general perception of the industry as being particularly unkind to the majority dark-skinned local workers", And this is true! I was lucky to interview Mary* a recent culinary arts graduate who shared her experience with colourism with me. Mary* posited that she sought after a job opportunity as a receptionist at a well-known hotel in the parish of St James. “I was qualified and prepared, so I wasn’t nervous” she noted. “After my interview was done, they asked me to wait outside for 20 min as they deliberate,” she said. However, after waiting, she was then informed that she was not suitable for the job. “I was devastated, to be honest as I didn’t know why I failed the interview” she added. Mary* didn’t think her skin tone could play a role in preventing her from landing the job however while leaving the premises she contacted a close friend to inform her friend of the bad news. “My friend works in the hotel industry” she said. Mary explained during the call her friend said that she wasted her time applying for that job position because that hotel would not have hired her because she is too dark to be a receptionist. As Ian Kerr said in his interview until this glaring inequity of opportunities is remedied, competent young Jamaicans will continue to shun tourism as a viable career path. Colourism within the workplace has been an undetected issue that has affected many individuals who are eager to be employed to meet their basic needs. A change has to be made for the betterment of ambitious young professionals who need to be assessed by their level of competency and not by the color of their skin.

My readers what are your thoughts?

Could colourism be affecting your workplace?

Have you or anyone you know experienced colourism while on the job?

References

Beienetch Watson | Conflating colourism with quality in Jamaica’s hotel industry. (2020). Retrieved from http://jamaicagleaner.com/article/commentary/20191027/beienetch-watson-conflating-colourism-quality-jamaicas-hotel-industry

Skin Tone Affects Job Chances. (2020). Retrieved from http://www.hrmguide.com/diversity/colorism.htm