Colorism and Anti-Blackness

Phrases such as “Pelo Malo” (bad or curly hair) and “Mejora la Raza” (better the race) are heard in the vocabulary of many Latinos/x. These are indicators of colorism, a preference for lighter skin tones, and anti-Blackness, a specific form of racism against Black people.

In this session, we define, understand, and explore their role in our development and self-concept.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have:

• Defined Colorism and Anti-Blackness in the context of Latino/x culture
• Understood how Colorism and Anti-Blackness become internalized during identity development
• Explored the tension between self-acceptance and the adoption of Colorism and Anti Blackness

About the Presenter

Ysabel Garcia is a first-generation Dominican immigrant with a bold and ambitious mission to dive heart first into raw and honest conversations about mental health, equity, and suicide prevention. She is a social justice educator, skilled dialogue facilitator, wounded healer, and disruptor of systems of oppression.

She embodies her messaging and personality through Estoy Aqui LLC, a grassroots initiative that provides suicide prevention training and social justice education to organizations and institutions serving the Latino/x and Black community. Her main goal is to raise awareness of the underlying social, cultural, and racial factors that create conditions for suicide to exist in these populations.

She has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Bay Path University.