Colorism and color bias—the preference for or presumed superiority of people based on the color of their skin—is a pervasive and damaging but rarely openly discussed phenomenon. Associate Professor Lori L. Tharps will discuss the concept of colorism in African American, Latino, Asian American, and mixed-race families and communities based on the research she's done for her newly released book, Same Family, Different Colors (Beacon). Q&A and book signing will follow.
Lori L. Tharps is an associate professor in the Department of Journalism at Temple University. A journalist and author, Tharps writes about race, identity politics, parenting and pop culture. She is the co-author of the book Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America and the memoir, Kinky Gazpacho: Life, Love & Spain. She has also written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Essence, and Glamour.