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Colorism: The Politics of Skin Tone and How We Get Free
The essential primer on colorism, and how each of us has a role in dismantling skin tone bias.
Racism is easy to spot these days; we know its script, its favorite media tropes, its legislative tactics, and how it makes us feel. But there is another societal ill hiding in racism’s colorism. Colorism is a social hierarchy that favors people with lighter skin tones and stigmatizes people with darker skin tones. More than a debate on social media about who’s most attractive, colorism frays the fabric of our homes and communities and jeopardizes the lives and livelihoods of individuals most impacted. Dr. Sarah L. Webb’s Colorism arrives as a fresh perspective on how we move toward a world free from harmful stigma and discord—a more liberated, more loving world.
In Colorism, Dr. Sarah shows us how colorism goes unrecognized by most even as it contours our every day lives. She leads us through cultural myths, client testimonies and her own personal stories to demonstrate colorism’s global stronghold on communities of color and white communities alike. She dissects how dating and pop culture can be hotbeds of discrimination. And she lifts the veil on how colorism can determine our access to education, work, social services, and politics. Soulfully told and richly informational, Colorism rounds out with revisions we can all make to show up for one another. After all, bias may be based on what’s on the outside, but true healing starts from within.
Racism is easy to spot these days; we know its script, its favorite media tropes, its legislative tactics, and how it makes us feel. But there is another societal ill hiding in racism’s colorism. Colorism is a social hierarchy that favors people with lighter skin tones and stigmatizes people with darker skin tones. More than a debate on social media about who’s most attractive, colorism frays the fabric of our homes and communities and jeopardizes the lives and livelihoods of individuals most impacted. Dr. Sarah L. Webb’s Colorism arrives as a fresh perspective on how we move toward a world free from harmful stigma and discord—a more liberated, more loving world.
In Colorism, Dr. Sarah shows us how colorism goes unrecognized by most even as it contours our every day lives. She leads us through cultural myths, client testimonies and her own personal stories to demonstrate colorism’s global stronghold on communities of color and white communities alike. She dissects how dating and pop culture can be hotbeds of discrimination. And she lifts the veil on how colorism can determine our access to education, work, social services, and politics. Soulfully told and richly informational, Colorism rounds out with revisions we can all make to show up for one another. After all, bias may be based on what’s on the outside, but true healing starts from within.
- GenresNonfictionPoliticsRace
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 23, 2026
4.5 Stars!
"Colorism is the systematic oppression and social marginalized of people with darker skin tones based on hierarchies of race, ethnicity and class."
My family splits right down the middle when it comes to skin color. My dad's side is darker in skin color, while my mom's side is very light skinned. Obviously both sides have a mix of skin tones but on the average my daddy family is dark and mom's side is light, bright, damn near white. My dark skinned dad will tell you that he was attracted to my mom's light skin and long curly hair (she could sit on her natural hair). He wanted light skinned kids(thats me). And my mom loved "chocolate men".My mom's family has several people who are Black but have natural blonde hair and blue/green eyes.
"Researchers have noted that educators perceived dark skinned Latin students as less intelligent and had lower expectations for Brown and Black Latin students."
"Very dark skinned girls are 3x more likely to be suspended from school than light skinned girls."
Growing up i was told to stay out the sun so I didn't get "all Black". We all have some Colorism in us. I still side eye people when they say Rihanna is light skinned....like not in my family she aint..shes brown skinned. I say this to let you know its okay to note your own Colorism, but you need to actively change. I do look down a bit on light skinned men. I would never date a high yellow man and that's a problem. I need to work on that. My mom used to say "the only thing white in my house is my panties".
"Colorism is cross cultural."
I have light skinned privilege and Im darker than both my mom and sister, but overall I'm light. I get compliments on my complexion all the time and it makes me feel very uncomfortable. My closeness to whiteness isn't a compliment.
Colorism is a global problem. In some countries skin bleaching is very mainstream. I mean Google Sammy Sosa. I dont even know where to buy skin bleaching cream...I assume Amazon. But in other countries they have ads for it in magazines and on tv. The whole world hates Black people...even other Black and Brown people. Its sad but we need to grow and learn. I working on my Colorism...its probably too late for my dad hes 71 but I do call him out when he says things like "damn that girl is blue Black" "dark people shouldn't wear bright colors". Its wrong and racist win when we equate good with lighter and bad with darker.
This is quick read and i highly recommend it.
"Colorism is the systematic oppression and social marginalized of people with darker skin tones based on hierarchies of race, ethnicity and class."
My family splits right down the middle when it comes to skin color. My dad's side is darker in skin color, while my mom's side is very light skinned. Obviously both sides have a mix of skin tones but on the average my daddy family is dark and mom's side is light, bright, damn near white. My dark skinned dad will tell you that he was attracted to my mom's light skin and long curly hair (she could sit on her natural hair). He wanted light skinned kids(thats me). And my mom loved "chocolate men".My mom's family has several people who are Black but have natural blonde hair and blue/green eyes.
"Researchers have noted that educators perceived dark skinned Latin students as less intelligent and had lower expectations for Brown and Black Latin students."
"Very dark skinned girls are 3x more likely to be suspended from school than light skinned girls."
Growing up i was told to stay out the sun so I didn't get "all Black". We all have some Colorism in us. I still side eye people when they say Rihanna is light skinned....like not in my family she aint..shes brown skinned. I say this to let you know its okay to note your own Colorism, but you need to actively change. I do look down a bit on light skinned men. I would never date a high yellow man and that's a problem. I need to work on that. My mom used to say "the only thing white in my house is my panties".
"Colorism is cross cultural."
I have light skinned privilege and Im darker than both my mom and sister, but overall I'm light. I get compliments on my complexion all the time and it makes me feel very uncomfortable. My closeness to whiteness isn't a compliment.
Colorism is a global problem. In some countries skin bleaching is very mainstream. I mean Google Sammy Sosa. I dont even know where to buy skin bleaching cream...I assume Amazon. But in other countries they have ads for it in magazines and on tv. The whole world hates Black people...even other Black and Brown people. Its sad but we need to grow and learn. I working on my Colorism...its probably too late for my dad hes 71 but I do call him out when he says things like "damn that girl is blue Black" "dark people shouldn't wear bright colors". Its wrong and racist win when we equate good with lighter and bad with darker.
This is quick read and i highly recommend it.
August 1, 2026
REQUIRED READING this was amazing
July 6, 2026
A fantastic read and amazing deep dive! Readers learn about colorism through multiple lenses mainly historical, contemporary, and self reflection. I loved the personal experiences paired with examples of colorism throughout history and in more recent times. This is a great read for someone wanting more info about the influence of colorism and how to deconstruct past learnings that fed into harmful rhetoric. The chapters ending with self reflections on individual, relational, institutional, and systemic levels is extremely helpful in the relearning and deconstruction of what we know about colorism. It is always deeper than we think and this book really gets into it. Absolutely great read.
October 9, 2026
Required reading for everyone!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Colorism is a book I'm truly grateful for. The topic is vital and often overlooked, so the author’s intentional approach matters. The way she structures the stories makes the book both accessible and impactful.
While the book primarily targets dark-skinned individuals—an important focus—I found my mixed-race experiences reflected in unexpected ways. Many situations she describes, like feeling othered or judged based on skin tone, also resonate with me. Colorism varies by location, community, and perception.
I believe the conversation could be broadened further to encompass the experiences of mixed-race and light-skinned individuals in predominantly white spaces. This isn't meant to detract from the author’s focus, but to help more readers connect with the narrative.
I also appreciate the book’s emphasis on healing. The discussions on unlearning shame and reclaiming identity are powerful. This important dialogue must continue across all shades, as colorism still impacts many lives.
Overall, I’m thankful this book exists. It opens dialogue and highlights the need to confront how skin tone shapes our world.
Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
While the book primarily targets dark-skinned individuals—an important focus—I found my mixed-race experiences reflected in unexpected ways. Many situations she describes, like feeling othered or judged based on skin tone, also resonate with me. Colorism varies by location, community, and perception.
I believe the conversation could be broadened further to encompass the experiences of mixed-race and light-skinned individuals in predominantly white spaces. This isn't meant to detract from the author’s focus, but to help more readers connect with the narrative.
I also appreciate the book’s emphasis on healing. The discussions on unlearning shame and reclaiming identity are powerful. This important dialogue must continue across all shades, as colorism still impacts many lives.
Overall, I’m thankful this book exists. It opens dialogue and highlights the need to confront how skin tone shapes our world.
Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 23, 2026
An educational, eye-opening, and thought-provoking read.
I finished reading Colorism: The Politics of Skin Tone and How We Get Free by Dr. Sarah L. Webb, last night after work and I found it both educational and eye-opening.
As someone who enjoys reading about history, psychology, sociology, and the complexities of human behaviour, I appreciate books that challenge us to examine social issues beyond what is immediately visible.
This is one of those books.
We frequently discuss racism, discrimination, and inequality. However, one subject that deserves considerably more attention is colorism: discrimination and preferential treatment based on skin tone, often within the same racial or ethnic group.
And this is where Dr. Webb's work becomes particularly important.
Colorism is not simply a matter of personal preference. It is a social hierarchy with historical roots and real consequences.
Throughout the book, Dr. Webb explores how colorism influences our everyday lives, sometimes in ways we may not consciously recognize. Drawing on personal experiences, testimonies, and cultural narratives, she examines how skin-tone bias affects relationships, representation, education, employment, and access to opportunities.
What I found particularly valuable was the way the subject extends beyond individual prejudice.
Colorism is not limited to someone expressing a preference for lighter skin. It can become embedded in institutions, cultural expectations, and social structures.
The historical dimension
To understand colorism, we must understand history.
Colonialism, slavery, and racial hierarchies contributed to systems in which lighter skin was often associated with privilege, higher social status, and proximity to European standards of beauty.
These ideas did not simply disappear with the abolition of slavery or the end of formal colonial rule.
They continued to influence social attitudes across generations.
What makes this especially significant is how deeply these beliefs can become normalized, even among communities that have historically experienced racial oppression themselves.
It raises an uncomfortable but necessary question:
How many of our so-called personal preferences are genuinely our own, and how many have been shaped by centuries of social conditioning?
The psychological impact
This was one of the most thought-provoking aspects of the subject for me.
Colorism does not only affect how individuals are treated by society. It can also influence how people perceive themselves.
Repeated exposure to messages that associate lighter skin with beauty, success, intelligence, or desirability can contribute to internalized prejudice, insecurity, and difficulties with self-esteem.
Children are particularly susceptible to the messages communicated by their environments.
A child does not need to experience overt discrimination to begin absorbing harmful beliefs about skin tone.
Sometimes those beliefs are transmitted through everyday conversations, family attitudes, media representation, or seemingly innocent compliments.
Consider statements such as:
"She's beautiful for a dark-skinned girl."
"Your baby is lucky to have such light skin."
"Don't spend too much time in the sun; you'll get too dark."
These remarks may appear harmless to the person making them, but they reinforce the notion that certain skin tones are inherently more desirable than others.
And when these messages are repeated across generations, they can become deeply embedded in how people understand beauty and social value.
Colorism within our own communities
Another important aspect of this discussion is recognizing that colorism can exist within Black communities and other communities of colour.
This can be particularly difficult to acknowledge because conversations about racial discrimination often focus on prejudice coming from outside the community.
However, discrimination does not always require two people to belong to different racial groups.
People who share the same racial identity can still reproduce harmful hierarchies based on differences in complexion.
Acknowledging this is not about assigning blame to communities that have experienced oppression.
It is about understanding how systems of inequality can be internalized and perpetuated, sometimes without conscious intention.
We cannot challenge discrimination effectively if we are unwilling to recognize it within our own environments.
Beauty, representation, and social opportunities
I also appreciated the book's attention to the broader consequences of colorism.
Discussions about skin tone are frequently reduced to beauty standards or romantic preferences.
But the issue extends much further.
Skin-tone bias can influence perceptions of professionalism, competence, attractiveness, trustworthiness, and social status.
It can also intersect with gender, socioeconomic circumstances, and other forms of inequality.
This is why colorism should not be dismissed as merely an issue of personal insecurity or individual sensitivity.
It deserves to be examined as a social and institutional concern.
Representation matters, but representation alone is not enough if the same hierarchies continue to determine who receives visibility, opportunities, and recognition.
Awareness versus accountability
One of my strongest reflections after finishing this book is that awareness should lead to self-examination.
It is easy to condemn discrimination when we recognize it in others.
It is considerably more challenging to question the attitudes, language, and assumptions we may have inherited ourselves.
And perhaps that is where meaningful change begins.
We need to become more willing to ask uncomfortable questions.
Why do certain beauty standards continue to dominate?
Why are particular physical characteristics associated with greater social value?
Why do some people dismiss colorism as a personal preference while ignoring the historical and structural influences behind those preferences?
And perhaps most importantly:
How do we challenge harmful beliefs without reproducing the very hierarchies we are trying to dismantle?
My thoughts on Dr. Webb's approach
What I appreciated about this book was its combination of education, personal narratives, and attention to practical change.
Rather than treating colorism exclusively as an abstract academic concept, Dr. Webb presents it as something that affects people's everyday experiences.
That approach makes the subject accessible while encouraging readers to reflect on their own environments.
I also appreciated that the discussion is not confined to Black communities. Colorism exists in different cultural and geographical contexts, although its historical origins and manifestations can vary.
This broader perspective is important because it demonstrates that skin-tone discrimination is not an isolated issue.
It is a global phenomenon that deserves serious attention.
The book also encourages us to think beyond simply identifying prejudice.
Recognizing a problem is important, but what happens after recognition?
How do we change the conversations taking place in our homes?
How do we challenge discriminatory practices in workplaces and institutions?
And how do we ensure that future generations are not burdened with the same harmful beliefs?
These are questions worth continuing to explore long after finishing the book.
I found Colorism to be an educational and eye-opening read.
It reinforced the importance of understanding discrimination not only through the lens of race, but also through the hierarchies that can exist within racial and ethnic groups.
It also reminded me that prejudice is not always loud, obvious, or intentionally malicious.
Sometimes it is hidden in cultural traditions, everyday language, beauty standards, and assumptions that have gone unquestioned for generations.
That does not make its consequences any less significant.
For me, one of the most important lessons is that challenging colorism should never become a competition between lighter-skinned and darker-skinned individuals.
The objective is not to replace one hierarchy with another.
The objective is to dismantle the belief that human worth, beauty, intelligence, or dignity should ever be determined by skin tone.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in psychology, sociology, racial inequality, history, and the ways social conditioning influences human behaviour.
You do not have to agree with every perspective presented in a book to benefit from examining its arguments.
And you certainly do not need to have personally experienced every form of discrimination to recognize why understanding it matters.
I made so many annotations throughout this book, highlighting passages, writing down my thoughts, and reflecting on the arguments presented.
For me, that is always a sign of a thought-provoking read. I wasn't simply reading the words; I was actively engaging with them.
Some passages reinforced what I already understood about racism, colorism, and social conditioning, while others encouraged me to examine these issues from a different perspective.
I appreciate books that make me stop reading for a moment, think critically, and question what I thought I knew.
And this book certainly did that.
My conclusion: An insightful, educational, and thought-provoking book that encourages readers to question inherited beliefs, recognize less visible forms of discrimination, and engage in conversations that are often uncomfortable but necessary.
Because education is not merely about confirming what we already believe.
Sometimes, it is about discovering how much we still have to learn.
And that, to me, is what makes reading so valuable.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I finished reading Colorism: The Politics of Skin Tone and How We Get Free by Dr. Sarah L. Webb, last night after work and I found it both educational and eye-opening.
As someone who enjoys reading about history, psychology, sociology, and the complexities of human behaviour, I appreciate books that challenge us to examine social issues beyond what is immediately visible.
This is one of those books.
We frequently discuss racism, discrimination, and inequality. However, one subject that deserves considerably more attention is colorism: discrimination and preferential treatment based on skin tone, often within the same racial or ethnic group.
And this is where Dr. Webb's work becomes particularly important.
Colorism is not simply a matter of personal preference. It is a social hierarchy with historical roots and real consequences.
Throughout the book, Dr. Webb explores how colorism influences our everyday lives, sometimes in ways we may not consciously recognize. Drawing on personal experiences, testimonies, and cultural narratives, she examines how skin-tone bias affects relationships, representation, education, employment, and access to opportunities.
What I found particularly valuable was the way the subject extends beyond individual prejudice.
Colorism is not limited to someone expressing a preference for lighter skin. It can become embedded in institutions, cultural expectations, and social structures.
The historical dimension
To understand colorism, we must understand history.
Colonialism, slavery, and racial hierarchies contributed to systems in which lighter skin was often associated with privilege, higher social status, and proximity to European standards of beauty.
These ideas did not simply disappear with the abolition of slavery or the end of formal colonial rule.
They continued to influence social attitudes across generations.
What makes this especially significant is how deeply these beliefs can become normalized, even among communities that have historically experienced racial oppression themselves.
It raises an uncomfortable but necessary question:
How many of our so-called personal preferences are genuinely our own, and how many have been shaped by centuries of social conditioning?
The psychological impact
This was one of the most thought-provoking aspects of the subject for me.
Colorism does not only affect how individuals are treated by society. It can also influence how people perceive themselves.
Repeated exposure to messages that associate lighter skin with beauty, success, intelligence, or desirability can contribute to internalized prejudice, insecurity, and difficulties with self-esteem.
Children are particularly susceptible to the messages communicated by their environments.
A child does not need to experience overt discrimination to begin absorbing harmful beliefs about skin tone.
Sometimes those beliefs are transmitted through everyday conversations, family attitudes, media representation, or seemingly innocent compliments.
Consider statements such as:
"She's beautiful for a dark-skinned girl."
"Your baby is lucky to have such light skin."
"Don't spend too much time in the sun; you'll get too dark."
These remarks may appear harmless to the person making them, but they reinforce the notion that certain skin tones are inherently more desirable than others.
And when these messages are repeated across generations, they can become deeply embedded in how people understand beauty and social value.
Colorism within our own communities
Another important aspect of this discussion is recognizing that colorism can exist within Black communities and other communities of colour.
This can be particularly difficult to acknowledge because conversations about racial discrimination often focus on prejudice coming from outside the community.
However, discrimination does not always require two people to belong to different racial groups.
People who share the same racial identity can still reproduce harmful hierarchies based on differences in complexion.
Acknowledging this is not about assigning blame to communities that have experienced oppression.
It is about understanding how systems of inequality can be internalized and perpetuated, sometimes without conscious intention.
We cannot challenge discrimination effectively if we are unwilling to recognize it within our own environments.
Beauty, representation, and social opportunities
I also appreciated the book's attention to the broader consequences of colorism.
Discussions about skin tone are frequently reduced to beauty standards or romantic preferences.
But the issue extends much further.
Skin-tone bias can influence perceptions of professionalism, competence, attractiveness, trustworthiness, and social status.
It can also intersect with gender, socioeconomic circumstances, and other forms of inequality.
This is why colorism should not be dismissed as merely an issue of personal insecurity or individual sensitivity.
It deserves to be examined as a social and institutional concern.
Representation matters, but representation alone is not enough if the same hierarchies continue to determine who receives visibility, opportunities, and recognition.
Awareness versus accountability
One of my strongest reflections after finishing this book is that awareness should lead to self-examination.
It is easy to condemn discrimination when we recognize it in others.
It is considerably more challenging to question the attitudes, language, and assumptions we may have inherited ourselves.
And perhaps that is where meaningful change begins.
We need to become more willing to ask uncomfortable questions.
Why do certain beauty standards continue to dominate?
Why are particular physical characteristics associated with greater social value?
Why do some people dismiss colorism as a personal preference while ignoring the historical and structural influences behind those preferences?
And perhaps most importantly:
How do we challenge harmful beliefs without reproducing the very hierarchies we are trying to dismantle?
My thoughts on Dr. Webb's approach
What I appreciated about this book was its combination of education, personal narratives, and attention to practical change.
Rather than treating colorism exclusively as an abstract academic concept, Dr. Webb presents it as something that affects people's everyday experiences.
That approach makes the subject accessible while encouraging readers to reflect on their own environments.
I also appreciated that the discussion is not confined to Black communities. Colorism exists in different cultural and geographical contexts, although its historical origins and manifestations can vary.
This broader perspective is important because it demonstrates that skin-tone discrimination is not an isolated issue.
It is a global phenomenon that deserves serious attention.
The book also encourages us to think beyond simply identifying prejudice.
Recognizing a problem is important, but what happens after recognition?
How do we change the conversations taking place in our homes?
How do we challenge discriminatory practices in workplaces and institutions?
And how do we ensure that future generations are not burdened with the same harmful beliefs?
These are questions worth continuing to explore long after finishing the book.
I found Colorism to be an educational and eye-opening read.
It reinforced the importance of understanding discrimination not only through the lens of race, but also through the hierarchies that can exist within racial and ethnic groups.
It also reminded me that prejudice is not always loud, obvious, or intentionally malicious.
Sometimes it is hidden in cultural traditions, everyday language, beauty standards, and assumptions that have gone unquestioned for generations.
That does not make its consequences any less significant.
For me, one of the most important lessons is that challenging colorism should never become a competition between lighter-skinned and darker-skinned individuals.
The objective is not to replace one hierarchy with another.
The objective is to dismantle the belief that human worth, beauty, intelligence, or dignity should ever be determined by skin tone.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in psychology, sociology, racial inequality, history, and the ways social conditioning influences human behaviour.
You do not have to agree with every perspective presented in a book to benefit from examining its arguments.
And you certainly do not need to have personally experienced every form of discrimination to recognize why understanding it matters.
I made so many annotations throughout this book, highlighting passages, writing down my thoughts, and reflecting on the arguments presented.
For me, that is always a sign of a thought-provoking read. I wasn't simply reading the words; I was actively engaging with them.
Some passages reinforced what I already understood about racism, colorism, and social conditioning, while others encouraged me to examine these issues from a different perspective.
I appreciate books that make me stop reading for a moment, think critically, and question what I thought I knew.
And this book certainly did that.
My conclusion: An insightful, educational, and thought-provoking book that encourages readers to question inherited beliefs, recognize less visible forms of discrimination, and engage in conversations that are often uncomfortable but necessary.
Because education is not merely about confirming what we already believe.
Sometimes, it is about discovering how much we still have to learn.
And that, to me, is what makes reading so valuable.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 28, 2026
As a mom raising twin girls with different skin tones, colorism isn’t an abstract idea for me it’s something that lives in our home, in our conversations, and in the way I think about how to protect and nurture my daughters. Reading this was right on time!
This book is beautifully written and deeply accessible. Webb manages to touch on a wide range of experiences and histories without ever overwhelming the reader. Instead, she invites you in gently. You’ll find yourself pausing, reflecting, maybe even tearing up. You’ll want to grab a notebook. You’ll want to check your own biases. You’ll want to understand more and I think that’s the true gift of this text.
I learned so much, including terms I didn’t even know existed, like hypergamy — the idea of “marrying up” and how skin tone quietly shapes desirability, opportunity, and belonging. Webb shows how colorism threads itself through nearly every part of our lives: relationships, politics, education, medical bias, media, and the everyday messages we absorb without noticing. She names things I’ve felt but didn’t always have words for.
And then there’s the quote that stayed with me long after I closed the book:
> “We can’t change the past, but understanding it helps us clarify what we can do in the present to create a better future. The most important lesson we can learn from reflecting on the history of colorism is that one of our greatest determinants is believing we are in competition with other people. If we can learn from the faults of our ancestors, let’s learn to love ourselves enough that we don’t need others to be beneath us in order to feel whole.”
It’s gentle, but it’s also grounding the kind of truth that shifts something inside you.
This is a book I know I’ll return to again and again. It’s thoughtful, smart, and full of compassion. It gave me new language, new understanding, and new ways to support my girls as they grow into themselves. Dr. Webb wrote something truly meaningful, and I’ll be recommending it to everyone.
This book is beautifully written and deeply accessible. Webb manages to touch on a wide range of experiences and histories without ever overwhelming the reader. Instead, she invites you in gently. You’ll find yourself pausing, reflecting, maybe even tearing up. You’ll want to grab a notebook. You’ll want to check your own biases. You’ll want to understand more and I think that’s the true gift of this text.
I learned so much, including terms I didn’t even know existed, like hypergamy — the idea of “marrying up” and how skin tone quietly shapes desirability, opportunity, and belonging. Webb shows how colorism threads itself through nearly every part of our lives: relationships, politics, education, medical bias, media, and the everyday messages we absorb without noticing. She names things I’ve felt but didn’t always have words for.
And then there’s the quote that stayed with me long after I closed the book:
> “We can’t change the past, but understanding it helps us clarify what we can do in the present to create a better future. The most important lesson we can learn from reflecting on the history of colorism is that one of our greatest determinants is believing we are in competition with other people. If we can learn from the faults of our ancestors, let’s learn to love ourselves enough that we don’t need others to be beneath us in order to feel whole.”
It’s gentle, but it’s also grounding the kind of truth that shifts something inside you.
This is a book I know I’ll return to again and again. It’s thoughtful, smart, and full of compassion. It gave me new language, new understanding, and new ways to support my girls as they grow into themselves. Dr. Webb wrote something truly meaningful, and I’ll be recommending it to everyone.
July 7, 2026
I was so excited to read this book and I wasn’t disappointed. From the very beginning, I was struck by the balancing of narratives and critical reflection. In the opening pages, Dr. Webb acknowledges the resistance to talking about colorism, the people who say “We’re all black at the end of the day.” And even still, some of us have been made blacker, and what are we gonna do about it? I feel like a starting place might be following the author’s lead and going back to our childhood. Sitting with ourselves and really reflecting on those childhood experiences. I have my own personal example: even though me and my younger sisters were all dark-skin, one of my sisters was darker and she had a really difficult childhood because of it. I can’t wait to share this book with my sisters because we really need to have some conversations about colorism. Everybody does to be honest.
I’ve been following Dr. Webb’s work for years now and I’m so glad she’s written this book. She lowkey built a syllabus within the book too: Zora Neale Hurston, the Dark Girls documentary, Audre Lorde, Delores Phillips’ The Darkest Child (which I also highly recommend), Wallace Thurman’s The Blacker the Berry, and more. And I mean the poetry! Ah! The poetry was my favorite and I kinda wish there was more of that. The memories and anecdotes of the author’s own writing practices were so refreshing to see, and it made me think about how central writing is to healing too. The book itself is so conversational, and in multiple parts of the book it felt like we were sitting down at the kitchen table just running it. The ‘reflections and revisions’ section at the end of each chapter seem manageable and also impactful. I truly hope more people buy this book and read it. I hope we can all get a little more free.
I’ve been following Dr. Webb’s work for years now and I’m so glad she’s written this book. She lowkey built a syllabus within the book too: Zora Neale Hurston, the Dark Girls documentary, Audre Lorde, Delores Phillips’ The Darkest Child (which I also highly recommend), Wallace Thurman’s The Blacker the Berry, and more. And I mean the poetry! Ah! The poetry was my favorite and I kinda wish there was more of that. The memories and anecdotes of the author’s own writing practices were so refreshing to see, and it made me think about how central writing is to healing too. The book itself is so conversational, and in multiple parts of the book it felt like we were sitting down at the kitchen table just running it. The ‘reflections and revisions’ section at the end of each chapter seem manageable and also impactful. I truly hope more people buy this book and read it. I hope we can all get a little more free.
August 5, 2026
In Colorism: The Politics of Skin Tone and How We Get Free, Dr. Sarah L. Webb shines a light on the pervasive yet often unrecognized ways colorism shapes our lives. As someone who also grew up in Louisiana, I deeply connected with Dr. Webb's experiences navigating colorism in the South. Her insights into how colorism plays out differently across regions were illuminating.
I appreciated how Dr. Webb, as a therapist, wove mental health and wellness into the broader discussion of colorism. She effectively demonstrates how colorism intersects with privilege, academic performance, and classism.
While I found Dr. Webb's first-person narrative compelling, I would have loved to hear more direct accounts from the individuals she interviewed about their lifelong experiences with colorism.
The chapter unpacking pop culture was particularly resonant for me. It gave language to experiences I had as a dark-skinned girl that I couldn't fully articulate at the time.
At its core, Colorism is a thought-provoking and essential read for anyone committed to dismantling skin tone bias and creating a more just, loving world.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing | Legacy Lit for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
#Colorism #SkinTonePolitics
I appreciated how Dr. Webb, as a therapist, wove mental health and wellness into the broader discussion of colorism. She effectively demonstrates how colorism intersects with privilege, academic performance, and classism.
While I found Dr. Webb's first-person narrative compelling, I would have loved to hear more direct accounts from the individuals she interviewed about their lifelong experiences with colorism.
The chapter unpacking pop culture was particularly resonant for me. It gave language to experiences I had as a dark-skinned girl that I couldn't fully articulate at the time.
At its core, Colorism is a thought-provoking and essential read for anyone committed to dismantling skin tone bias and creating a more just, loving world.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing | Legacy Lit for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
#Colorism #SkinTonePolitics
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advance e-copy. This powerful nonfiction book explores the often hidden effects of colorism, or bias based on skin tone, especially within Black communities and beyond. It combines personal stories, cultural insights, and historical background to show how attitudes towards skin color affect things like self-esteem and life opportunities. I really appreciated the author's honest approach, particularly when using real-life examples and solid research to trace the roots of colorism back to slavery, the media, and family influences, all without sounding preachy. The book makes complex ideas about race and beauty easier to understand, providing comfort for those who feel affected by these issues and offering practical ideas for change. I took off a star for some repeated examples, but overall, it’s an important and thought-provoking read that encourages meaningful discussion. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in understanding unfairness within communities.
September 25, 2026
This was such an informative and well put together book.
Colorism is a topic I'm always interested in and want to keep hearing talked about more.
When I saw some low reviews I was willing to save judgement until I finished the book to see if they had some weight, they didn't.
Anyone that rates this book low based on content is a colorist and doesn't want to face it. Period.
Reading this as lighter skinned Black person has opened up my mind to how colorism effects children. This showed me the ways that darker skinned children have to deal with, internalize, and live with stuff that as a child I've never had to think about.
Would recommend to everyone!
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing/Legacy Lit for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Colorism is a topic I'm always interested in and want to keep hearing talked about more.
When I saw some low reviews I was willing to save judgement until I finished the book to see if they had some weight, they didn't.
Anyone that rates this book low based on content is a colorist and doesn't want to face it. Period.
Reading this as lighter skinned Black person has opened up my mind to how colorism effects children. This showed me the ways that darker skinned children have to deal with, internalize, and live with stuff that as a child I've never had to think about.
Would recommend to everyone!
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing/Legacy Lit for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a great read imo. It offers a thoughtful examination of skin tone bias and its effects across personal, cultural, and institutional contexts. The author draws on research, lived experiences, and contemporary examples. This allows them to illustrate how colorism continues to shape perceptions. And because of that how also impacts and influences opportunities and relationships. The book is accessible but also has a lot of depth.
This narrative is for anyone looking to learn more about real racial issues in our society, while also invites the reader to self reflect and even take accountability. It encourages readers to consider the origins and consequences of these biases. It’s insightful and a definite must read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
This narrative is for anyone looking to learn more about real racial issues in our society, while also invites the reader to self reflect and even take accountability. It encourages readers to consider the origins and consequences of these biases. It’s insightful and a definite must read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
July 12, 2026
This was a very thoughtful, introspective read. This examined the ways in which colorism is used in our everyday existence and various points in history, pop culture, politics, and identity. Dr. Webb weaves in her own experience growing up with a darker skin tone than her siblings and mother and how that affected the way she moved through life. I appreciated that the book called out not just Black communities with this issue, but other communities of color as lightness and whiteness are celebrated and desired vs. dark skin. Each chapter ends with self-reflections on the subject for the individual, institutional, and systematic. These are ways that we all can deconstruct colorism, especially for me as a light skinned black person. Fantastic read!
September 3, 2026
Colorism is an important and deeply thoughtful examination of a form of bias that often goes unrecognized despite its impact on everyday life.
Dr. Sarah L. Webb combines research, personal stories, and real-world experiences to show how skin-tone bias can shape relationships, opportunity, culture, and social institutions. I appreciated that the book doesn’t simply explain the problem it encourages honest reflection and points toward greater awareness, compassion, and change.
A valuable read for anyone interested in race, identity, social justice, and creating a more equitable society.
Dr. Sarah L. Webb combines research, personal stories, and real-world experiences to show how skin-tone bias can shape relationships, opportunity, culture, and social institutions. I appreciated that the book doesn’t simply explain the problem it encourages honest reflection and points toward greater awareness, compassion, and change.
A valuable read for anyone interested in race, identity, social justice, and creating a more equitable society.
September 2, 2026
A necessary and fresh perspective on colorism, the systemic oppression and social marginalization of darker-skinned individuals, which results in the privileging and empowerment of those of lighter shades. I think this is a great, accessible, and grounding read for reflection and understanding.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2026
This book was both a source of reference and reflection for me. I think it is a book everyone should have in their library. The author shares both her personal experiences as well as years of research. The journal prompts for reflection and change are amazing. Highly recommend.
September 15, 2026
This should be mandatory reading.
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