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London, England (BlackNews.com) - How many books on colorism have you come across written by an author in the UK? Probably none, because this is the first book to emerge from the UK African Diaspora that takes an in-depth look at the process of discrimination based on skin tone, that occurs within people of the same ethnic group.

Written by tough-talking journalist/Pan-Africanist/human rights activist Deborah Gabriel, Layers of Blackness examines the issue of colourism from a global African perspective, tracing its evolution from slavery and colonization in the USA, Jamaica, Latin America and the UK. The book examines how blackness has been denigrated since the 3rd century BCE through religion, scientific racism and popular culture, resulting in the psychological phenomenon of colourism as a means of escaping the negative characteristics and economic disadvantages associated with dark skin.

An interesting chapter on the human evolution of skin color examines different theories on the evolution of mankind and how skin color evolved in human beings from the dark skin found in most people of African descent to the paler skin of Europeans. The author makes it clear in the book, that colourism is not some peculiar practice engaged in by people of color for the sake of it, but a legacy of slavery and colonization that is part of a wider system of white supremacy. This is explained in detail in the chapter on whiteness and white supremacy, while the chapter on blackness and black identity looks at positive representations of blackness both in historical and contemporary times.

In the chapter on Jamaica, Donna Mc Farlane, the Director and Curator of Liberty Hall, the Legacy of Marcus Garvey states that: "In spite of the gains of the Black Power era, the mantra of I am Black and I am Proud has receded into the background, only to be replaced once again by bleaching creams." A Jamaican study published in January 2007 also provides evidence that a stigma against dark skin still exists in Jamaica with children aged between three and six years old showing a preference for light skin.

Author Deborah Gabriel believes that it is time that people took a more serious view of colourism. She said: "People need to understand that colourism goes beyond personal preferences and aesthetic ideals -- we are talking about social and economic disparities among people of African descent because of skin color and that's a big deal."

At the recent book launch in the UK held at the London College of Communication where the author studied, Gary Naylor, Assistant Dean of the School of Media said: "I'm looking forward to directing students that I teach and who are taught here and elsewhere in the university and in universities beyond London and the UK, to look at the issues that are raised, to look at how Deborah presents these issues, carries them forward and gives us opportunities to look at this kind of material."

Dr Sandra Richards, Academic and broadcaster: "How bold and important this work is. It's something that many of us are aware of but we don't talk about."

A special offer to purchase the book has just been launched solely for US buyers who can save 30% of the normal price of the book and get FREE postage and package. To take advantage of the offer and watch the highlights of the London book launch in a 7 ½ min video clip, visit the website intro


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interesting

It's so sad that a book like this has to be written in 2007.