Being called an "Oreo" is not colorism

Being "bullied" for a month in elementary for being lighter skinned (If that even happened) is no the same as being denied from opportunities, being less preferred/more disrespected by possible partners, and being made to seem more ugly, aggressive, and less human.

As a lighter skinned woman myself, we have been taught that we are "better looking" and more deserving of respect. We internalize these thoughts and it influences us to further the upkeep and oppression of darker skinned people. We benefit from a system that produces real life consequences and violence that affects many black bodies and creates lived experiences that cannot be ignored or undermined.

That being said, when a darker skinned person shares their experiences of how they have been treated, denied, and punished for having darker skin, you need to check your light skin privilege and not take up space with you being called yellow or an Oreo. You being called a name does not follow you from that space. You may have gotten your feelings hurt in that moment but did that affect your job, your love life, your access to moving up in society? You cannot compare that to any lived experience of a darker skinned person. It does not follow you throughout your whole life, into every state, into every magazine, commercial, tv show, etc. And it upsets me that I have seen many lighter skinned people become defensive when someone is speaking out and saying how they feel. Instead of jumping to argue you should be using the space to observe and listen and understand how to check yourself when you might perpetuate colorism. You cannot learn and help dismantle the opportunity barrier that comes off of color if you feel the need to prove yourself innocent or play the victim.

It is okay to step back and not take up space for other voices to be heard. Being called out for being privileged in some way isn't always negative. You should feel lucky that your people care enough to call you out and give you a chance to learn. Take the opportunity to challenge what you have internalized growing up and help work to dismantle this oppressive system. So the next time you hear that colorism only affects darker skinned people, instead of bringing up you comparison to a cookie, actually listen ad reflect.