Colorism Project at the Schaumburg

Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels

As we move into 2022, more people are talking about colorism. But more than talk about it, some folk, like the Schaumburg Library in Illionis is putting it on display. They have an art exhibit called “Colorism Project: Lookout Outside the Paper Bag” featuring artist in residence Ashley A. Jones. The project is said to be named to speak about colorism from the book The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett and address beauty politics which are heavily rooted in white supremacist standards.

For those who don’t know or don’t remember, this refers to the brown paper bag, like you would get at a grocery store. The brown paper bag was used as a unit of measurement to determine if someone would be considered light or dark skin. In the past (and baby, even TODAY) this measurement was used to determine who would be admitted in certain churches, school/colleges, if they were marriage material, or allowed entry to some clubs and organizations.

Some folk will say this is a relic of the past, except that it seems to live right in our living rooms and bedrooms as we watch tv and continue to use colorism politics to select partners, but that’s a post for another day. This exhibit is designed to have us think about and question the ideals of beauty and hopeful to expand out definition.

If you live in the area, the Schaumburg Library will have the “Colorism Project” on display until February 24, 2022. Find out more here!