The Virulence of Blackthink™ and How Its Threat of Ostracism Shackles Those Deemed Not Black Enough

Authors

Kimberly Jade Norwood, Washington University in St. Louis School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2004

Publication Title

Kentucky Law Journal

Abstract

This Article explores a non-traditional form of discrimination based on color. In the United States we are accustomed to hearing about discrimination in the context of historic injustices the black community has faced for no other reason but that they were born black or African-American. This Article deals with another form of discrimination against black people based on skin color: discrimination based on not being black enough. Blacks who do not fit a particular expectation about what it means to be black are often marginalized or even ostracized from their communities. They are vilified as Sells-Outs, Oreos and Uncle Toms. This Article discusses the practice and asks who is really black and who gets to judge.

Keywords

Colorism, Skin Tone Discrimination, Black Identity, Intra-Racial Discrimination, Racial Expectations, Authenticity, Marginalization, Social Identity, Stereotypes, Black Community

Publication Citation

Kimberly Jade Norwood, The Virulence of Blackthink™ and How Its Threat of Ostracism Shackles Those Deemed Not Black Enough, 93 Ky. L.J. 143 (2004)

Repository Citation

Norwood, Kimberly Jade, "The Virulence of Blackthink™ and How Its Threat of Ostracism Shackles Those Deemed Not Black Enough" (2004). Scholarship@WashULaw. 630.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_scholarship/630