TL/DR –
The skin color of Latinos significantly affects their lives, including career advancement opportunities, according to 62% of respondents in a Pew Research study. Dr. Edward Vargas discusses the concept of colorism, explaining that it includes prejudices and discrimination based on skin tone and can influence everyday activities like dining out, shopping, and even obtaining a home loan. Vargas also notes that Latinos tend to experience higher traffic stop rates and that the race of the police officer can impact the outcome of the stop.
The Influence of Skin Color on Latino Success in the U.S.
It’s undeniable that skin color significantly influences the lives and career progression of Latinos in America. Many Latinos consider skin color as a determinant of their success.
A Pew Research study states that 62% of Latinos believe that having a darker skin color hinders their progression.
Understanding Colorism Within and Outside Hispanic Communities
Dr. Edward Vargas from the School of Transborder Studies at ASU explained the concept of colorism. “Colorism is the prejudices and discrimination that occur due to an individual’s skin tone. It goes beyond just skin tone,” he said.
He highlighted that color-based discrimination is evident in mundane activities like dining out or shopping. It even impedes the process of securing a home loan for Latinos.
“Latinos, despite having good credit, pay higher interest rates for their mortgages compared to their white counterparts,” added Dr. Vargas.
Impact of Colorism on Law Enforcement
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) conducted an evaluation on the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and found Latinos are more susceptible to being stopped. Dr. Vargas suggests there is evident bias in the data.
“The race of the police officer matters. If you’re pulled over by a Latino cop compared to a white cop, it affects whether or not you get arrested or detained for longer,” he said.
Colorism: An Ongoing Conversation
Dr. Vargas advocates for regular discussions on colorism, especially with children and elderly parents. He stresses that immigrant parents from the Civil Rights Era might perceive it differently due to their backgrounds.
“They might not have the language to call it out for what it is,” Dr. Vargas concluded.
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Dr. Edward Vargas, School of Transborder Studies, ASU
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