The Documentary Podcast BBC OS Conversations: Colourism
Apr 19, 2025
Nyakim Gatwetch, the South Sudanese American model known as the Queen of the Dark, shares her powerful experiences with colorism in the fashion industry. Accompanied by Ateh Jewel, a London-based beauty journalist, they tackle the deep-rooted biases surrounding skin tone. They discuss the societal pressures and personal struggles faced by women of color, the impact of harmful beauty standards, and the rising issue of skin bleaching in various cultures. Together, they inspire a conversation about acceptance and the need for change in the perception of beauty.
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Nyakim's Colourism Realization
- Nyakim Gatwetch was bullied in school for her deep complexion and confused why lighter-skinned black peers treated her differently.
- She discovered the term "colourism" and realized it is a form of internalised racism affecting perceptions of beauty and acceptance.
Ateh's Family Colourism Experience
- Ateh Jewel experienced colourism within her family, being warned not to get too dark and witnessing differential treatment of her twin daughters based on skin tone.
- Her lighter-skinned daughter received compliments and privileges, while the darker-skinned daughter faced exclusion and suspicion in public.
Colourism Rooted in Colonization
- Colourism and racism stem from the same root of systemic oppression and colonization.
- The preference for lighter skin is linked to historical privileges connected to slavery and colonialism, persisting unconsciously today.