A Reminder About Light Skin Privilege

A Reminder About Light Skin Privilege

One term can have different meanings and subtleties across different groups. The term “light skin privilege” carries a particular weight and meaning when used in reference to Native American people.

Between strict blood quantum laws and perceptions, and stereotypes about our looks (must have dark reddish brown skin, long black hair, etc), people are dying to tell us we’re not “real Indians.” We are often clearly spotted as not-white by white people, and treated as such, yet if we don’t meet preconceived notions about our race, we’re “not allowed,” to “claim to be” who we are. This is not only a matter of “acting white,” or people using our light brown skin to say we’re “not Indian enough,” it is also a matter of people frequently using our light brown/ non-white skin to somehow disagree entirely with our factual race. Yes, even some of us who are “full blooded” are told we are not who we are. When something is used to call our existence into question, in a way that is unique to Native American groups, it can be very impactful to say that that trait is a privilege.

There’s certainly common ground between various non-white communities; that said, there’s a lot of nuance to each group’s oppression, and what it means to be part of that group. As a single label can have different connotations depending on who is using it toward whom, we should think twice before using a term of privilege to describe someone from a different oppressed race than our own. In those situations where it is accurate and needs to be said, say it with some indication that you are mindful of those nuances which you do not experience and may not understand.