PSYC4440 · Psychology

Psychology of Colorism and Anti-Black Racism

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

This course will examine how individual, institutional, and structural level factors reproduce and reinforce white supremacy. Specifically, we will investigate anti-Black racism and colorism as it functions as a facet of white supremacy in three major areas: (1) the historical and social context of anti-Black racism and colorism, (2) how this context and systemic factors (such as predominant cultural narratives, privilege disparities) inform individual level biases and psychological processes, and (3) in turn, how these factors impact individuals across the African Diaspora. We will discuss anti-racist strategies to achieve equity and justice across the Diaspora.