The hierarchal perceptions of skin color within the African American community were conceived during the era and sociohistorical context of North American slavery. Within this environment Africans and Europeans first began to intermix—spawning generations of people reflecting a myriad of skin tones and facial features.

       One of the most violent mechanisms of physiological and mental control exercised by White slave traders and owners was rape. The commonplace sexual abuse of Black women gave rise to a new generation of lighter skin Blacks (Frazier, 1957). And while the “one drop” rule rendered mixed children enslaved Africans, the treatment and privileges they received differed from their darker counterparts.

         In direct contrast to darker skin enslaved Africans, some mixed raced enslaved Africans were privy to less strenuous housework, separate living quarters, more autonomy, and in particular cases, freedom (Drake & Cayton, 1945). Interestingly the mixed race elite also perpetuated the within-race division. To preserve their “purity” and status, they insisted on marrying other mixed race Blacks and distancing themselves from darker skin Blacks. Such separation, in conjunction with the preferential treatment received from Whites, reinforced a hierarchal system in which light skin was superior to dark skin, and more important, laid the foundation for intragroup conflict and mistrust among the Black population.



        Today race trivializes the issue of color. However, skin tone biases, albeit less conspicuous, still exist within the African American community and other communities around the world. Many of these biases are reflective in the skin color related stereotypes people use to identify or pigeonhole light and dark skin African Americans.