Representations of colorism in the Jamaican culture and the practice of skin bleaching
Item
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Title
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Representations of colorism in the Jamaican culture and the practice of skin bleaching
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Identifier
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d_2009_2013:4bc4a5f730f4:10375
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identifier
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10587
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Creator
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Charles, Christopher Andrew Dwight,
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Contributor
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William E. Cross Jr | Martin D. Ruck
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Date
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2010
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Social psychology | Cultural anthropology | Ethnic studies | Colorism | Culture | Identity | Jamaica | Representations | Skin bleaching
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Abstract
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This study deconstructs the images that influence Jamaicans to bleach their skin. Social representation theory (SRT) is used to pinpoint the origins of colorism and then trace its entrenchment in the culture and communications. SRT theorems say (1) the social images have a history; (2) these images are diffused and become embedded in the culture; (3) people use these images to understand their environment and create identities; (4) over time, repeated social exchanges become institutionalized culture; and (5) the images in the culture can be easily triggered and overheard in conversations. History data was collected from colonial and contemporary newspapers; the diffusion data was collected from popular songs, poems, and a novel; identity data was collected from interviews; institutionalization data was captured from participant observation of skin bleaching vendor-customer transactions; dialogic data was collected from a focus group interview. The findings are that the complexion consensus is a historical continuum in old and new newspapers. Colorism is contested in reggae and dancehall songs and literary works. The repeated vendor-customer exchanges reveal that skin bleaching is an established cultural practice. Participants use colorism to define themselves which influences them to bleach their skin. Colorism was heard in participants' conversations about race and skin bleaching. The results suggest that the complexion consensus is a hegemonic representation which influences the beliefs and behavior of the skin bleachers in Jamaica.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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2009_2013.csv
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
