Learning

Objectives: What will the students know/be able to do as a result of this

lesson?
Students will be able to discuss the current issues of colorism and the effect it has on
its victims. Students will also be able to answer questions that I pose regarding the
topic at hand.
Teacher Goals: What strategies will you work on as a teacher?
The strategies I will work on, as a teacher, are to frequently engage the audience as
opposed to only after each section. I may even include more visuals to engage the
audience other than pictures on my slides.
Materials:
For students: Paper and pen or pencil to take part in the activity.
For teacher:
Wale Pretty girls Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8YxSzXnZ40
Reaction to the Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsFxtIxRqJA
Introduction: How are you going to get the students to recall yesterdays lesson and
how it relates to what you are doing today? How will you capture student attention?
Introduction Time Frame

3:30 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.

Introduction Activity Description

I plan on beginning my lecture by
introducing the idea of colorism and
prompting the class to share some
experiences they have had or known
someone else has had with colorism. I will
also ask them to describe their position on
the topic and how it makes them feel.

Instruction: Include time estimates for each of your activities and also plan for
regular checks for understanding.

Instruction Time Frame

3:40 p.m. to 4:05 p.m.

Instruction Activity Description

I plan on explaining that colorism is not

only something that occurs in the United

States, but also around the world.
India:

Individuals see lighter skin as more

beautiful
Darker skinned individuals are
socially and economically
disadvantaged
Children are complimented by
relatives and friends for being the
fairer one
Popular for individuals to bleach
their skin using creams

Brazil:

Branco/claro (white/light) is good

Negro/preto/escuro
(black/black/dark) is bad
Individuals with lighter skin
generally have higher rates of social
mobility
Light skin represents power

United States

Light skin individuals are called

House Niggas
Dark skin individuals are referred to
as Field Niggas
Lighter skinned people tend to have
higher social standing, more positive
social networks, and more
opportunities to succeed.
Light skin women are seen as exotic
and mixed.

Questions

Can you draw relationships between

the colorism in different countries?
Do you think historical events play a
big role in why colorism exists?

I also want to discuss some recent issues

with colorism.
Dark skinned v. Light skinned

Colorism has created a barrier

between the African-American race
Seems as though there is hatred
toward the lighter skinned African-
Americans
Use Tanks girlfriend picture
comments as an example
Show a clip of Wale Pretty Girls
video and then show the response to
the video.

Questions

Why do you think there is tension

between the two skin tones?
Do you think celebrities such as
Tank and Wale should be ashamed
for their preference in skin tone
when it comes to women?

Closure: How will you tie the lesson together and reemphasize the concepts
presented? How will you know if your students get it by the end of your lesson?

Closure Time Frame

4:05 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Closure Activity Description

I will give them 10 minutes to take out a
piece of paper and pencil to write down
their thoughts on the subject of colorism.
Now that I have given them a lesson on the
subject, they should be able to write a
paragraph about it. This could be an
opportunity for the students who did not
answer questions in class to answer them
on paper and turn them in for my viewing.

Sources:
http://www.africanglobe.net/headlines/colorism-development-black-identity-
country-encourages-black/

Hernandez, Tanya K. (2006). "Bringing Clarity to Race Relations in Brazil". Diverse:
Issues in Higher Education 23 (18): 85.

Hochschild, Jennifer L. "The Skin Color Paradox and the American Racial Order."
Social Forces 86.2 (2007): 643-670.

Nandini Chavan; Qutub Jehan Kidwai (2006). Personal Law Reforms and Gender
Empowerment: A Debate on Uniform Civil Code. Hope India Publications. p. 44.ISBN
978-81-7871-079-2.

Vishnupriya Das, FAIR? A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT SKIN-COLOUR IN INDIA (2012)
available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT7x1BIEhY0