Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated host colorism forum for students

Were you a Disney Channel or Nickelodeon kid?

Southeast’s Omicron Pi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated would rule in favor of Disney Channel, as they hosted a Disney Channel-themed week of events for students from Sept. 20-26.

The week was jam-packed with hostings consisting of events like a “Proud Family” game of Family Feud, “Girl Meets World” colorism forum over Zoom during which members of Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated discussed with participants' experiences of colorism, “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” community service cleanup for Adopt-A-Highway, and more.

The ladies of Delta Sigma Theta decided one of the most important events would undoubtedly have to be their forum hosted over the difficult but relevant topic within the Black community: colorism.

Colorism by definition is prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group.

Southeast senior and vice president of Delta Sigma Theta Aneenah Smith explained the reason why their chapter wanted to bring the subject of colorism to light for students that would attend the event.

“This was something that we wanted to tackle, because I’ve encountered a lot of women who like to put color as a priority when choosing the type of things they wear, and the type of hairstyles they choose,” Smith said. “Dark-skinned women are beautiful, and so are lighter-skinned women, so I feel like it is important for women to know that color is a part of self-care … self-love.”

Southeast graduate and Delta Sigma Theta member Marshell Jones touched on how colorism is a deeply-rooted issue dating back centuries and why it is still affecting people of color to this day.

“You only know what you’re taught. But, if people don’t know where colorism came from and what it is embedded in, then history will repeat itself. So, things that were seen in the 1800s are what we are seeing now because people don’t know where it came from, where it was founded and why it is what it is,” Jones said. “If people aren't educated correctly, then it will never stop.”

Colorism has been a prominent subject among people of color for some time now, leaving multitudes of women and men with harmful experiences, altered thought patterns and trauma associated with this way of thinking.

“In our generation and at this point in time, colorism is a very heavy topic that’s always talked about,” Southeast senior and chapter president of Delta Sigma Theta Kenise Hoard said. “It circulates through social media like clockwork. So, it is important that we acknowledge that, and we have that conversation not only on social media, but within ourselves and with the people that we encounter every day.”

Delta Sigma Theta hopes the takeaway from this event is to bring awareness among people of color in hopes for more mindfulness and carefulness with one another during this ever-changing society. They encourage students to be willing to get to know them as people, as they are always willing to have these open and important conversations amongst each other and with others.

“We’re here to help you guys. We have study halls every Sunday, Monday and Wednesday just to help you guys with your education, and just to talk to us as well,” Southeast senior and treasurer of Delta Sigma Theta Sasha Loper said.

For more information and to keep up with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, follow their social media here.