Dear Media Industry,

Colorism is prejudice or discriminiation against individuals with darker skin tone. Colorism in the media is harmful because it is a huge reason why people with darker skin tone lack recognition and opportunities. By writing this letter I ask the media to #endtheprivilege. This change will achieve more equal opportunity for darker skinned actors. Hollywood producers tend to pick a lighter skinned tone actor over a darker skinned one for lead roles and for better image. According to “Hollywood's Colorism Problem Can't Be Ignored Any Longer” by Tiffany Onyejiaka it states colorism has led to a belief that the darker skinned you are, the less attractive and less suitable for a role you are. For example “Colorism created the belief that lighter-skinned black people are better, smarter, and more attractive than their darker-skinned counterparts because they have a closer proximity to whiteness” (Onyejiaka), This proves that colorism has contributed to the lack of diversity in the media. Colorism has affected people in the media industry because many dark skinned people don’t have the recognition they deserve and they also don’t receive the same opportunities as lighter skinned people. This means that there are privileged lighter skin people depending on the shade of their skin which is not fair. Let’s think about if colorism in the media ends then beautiful, talented, passionate darker skin people will finally be recognized. According to the article it states that if colorism wasn’t around then we’d see a much more diverse range of outspoken young black stars challenge the status quo all around us and I agree (Onyejiaka). Darker skinned people have a lot to offer and they deserve the opportunity to show the world the talent and passion that they possess. So my solution to put an end to colorism is to simply let darker skin people have the spotlight! I’m talking about lead roles, face of advertising and even more screen time. I’m seriously tired of the lack of diversity in the media it’s time to #endtheprivilege.