Am I really black? How black am I? Why can’t I be darker? Or lighter? Can someone be “blacker” or “whiter” than others in my race? Should I try to be lighter? Should I get a tan to make myself darker?

These may be off-putting and damaging questions, but they are what many black women may ask themselves during their lifetimes while finding their racial identity. This is due to the sociological phenomenon known as colorism, which causes a lack in positive self and peer image in black culture.