Pardismo, Colorism and the “Brazilian Woman”: production of racial identity of light-skinned Black women

Abstract

In this article, based on studies, readings, and discussions at collective supervisory meetings among the authors, we discuss reflections that are preliminary to the realization of a study about the parda or light-skinned Black population, and the theme of “pardismo” in Brazilian society. We reflect on the processes of invisibilization of Blackness based on the ambiguity of phenotypic traits. Like all oppressions that operate in colonial Western society, the symbolic violence of deracialization, combined with gendered oppressions, can have significant psychosocial effects on people who occupy nonhegemonic gender positions. Focusing on Black women with light-skin, we consider how the denial of racial identity affects processes of subjectivation of these women in a society marked by coloniality. We also discuss how the concept of “colorism” can be adapted to Brazilian reality.