This topical book shows that racism by skin color is much more embedded and prevalent in the modern world than racism by race. In the aftermath of globalization, humanity has experienced unprecedented levels of interaction. This book presents evidence to show that in the 21st century which is dependent on ever-expanding communication technologies, and new forms of visual media actually exacerbate historical mores of colorism in the lives of humanity, i.e.: African, Asian, Latinx, Native and European descent. The book discusses the historical roots and current values of idealization of light skin, skin bleaching practices, stereotypes of skin color developed through migration and cultural assimilation, and health and educational consequences of colorism.
Ronald E. Hall is Professor at the School of Social Work, Michigan State University, MI. After graduating with distinction, Professor Hall’s professional career began as a clinical social worker. His professional role encompassed the practice of individual and group psychotherapy with schizophrenic and manic-depressive clients. Subsequent to numerous clinical observations, Professor Hall incorporated the notion of skin color, among people of color, as a critical dynamic of mental health. Having written his dissertation on skin color, in 1990 he testified as expert witness to America’s first skin color discrimination case between African Americans: Morrow vs. IRS. Professor Hall later devised the Bleaching Syndrome to explain discrimination among people of color and Identity Across the Lifespan as an alternative biracial identity model. His work includes over 150 (co)authored publications, interviews, and presentations on these topics, including Justice Clarence Thomas and President Barack Obama via TIME magazine and Oprah Winfrey via The Color Complex. Some of his recent titles are The Color Complex:The Mixed Race Millennium (with K. Russell and M. Wilson, New York: Random House, revised, 2013); and The Melanin Millennium: Skin Color as 21st Century International Discourse (2012, edited, New York: Springer). Professor Hall has lectured on skin color both locally and internationally including at the U.S. Congress and Oxford University. He is associated with numerous professional organizations, including the National Association of Social Workers, the National Association of Black Social Workers, the Michigan Association of Black Social Workers, and the Council on Social Work Education.
