The Importance Of Colorism In The Somali Community

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Multiple themes come up when I re-read my interview summary. When she was graduating middle school her and her best friend went to the salon, they both decided to get the same hairstyle and have a full spa day. As they were giggling and enjoying the finish look, her friend eyed her short sleeve dress and commented how her skin looked even lighter than usual, that she looked even prettier without the tan. Layla rolled her eyes but comments about her skin tone were very common. Within the Somali community, the colorism was a real issue. Layla continued to tell more examples and one of them stuck with me. During high school when her classmates were doing a project on Race. They talked about all the oppression they faced, all agreeing and nodding …show more content…
They decided to just stay friends, he joked that she just his type, a little exotic and the perfect “shade”. She was sad that her own people, regardless if she identified as African-American or not. They were both black. She questioned why anyone would put down each other. She soon realized this problem wouldn’t go away. Even with Somali men, during college she was in a serious relationship. She saw his parents a few time and they seemed nice. Within the Somali community, the title of dating isn’t that common. Within the younger generation they date as usual but won’t inform their parents until they think the relationship is worth mentioning, usually marriage talks make it official. So when marriage came into talk, she wanted him to officially met her parents. Her parents were very nice and allowed them to talk. When it came time for her to officially meet his parents, with a serious relationship, his mother put down the idea immediately. His father was very polite and apologized for his wife’s harsh words. Layla was very shocked and didn’t know why his mother changed her mind so quickly. His family were practicing muslims and racism is not allowed. His father told Layla she was from a very respectful family and they could talk if they had marriage in mind. This situation reminded me of pseudo-open. This was very common with Muslim (Somali) families. They practice what they preach and love the idea of inter-racial marriage. Once it comes down to marriage, the parents will use the card; the cultures are different, stick with your own kind. Especially within the somali community, there’s even an issue with marrying out of their tribe. Layla also mentioned her parents as an example. Since her parents play a big role in her life and she didn’t want to go through that trail. Her mother’s family weren’t as welcoming as they made it seem growing up. They got married but tension was high, Layla’s

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