Colorism and Contemporary Representations of Puerto Rican Society in Textbooks

• In Event: Visualizing Afro-Dignity: Scrutinizing Puerto Rican Elementary History Textbooks for Racial Justice

Abstract

Objectives:
This presentation addresses the problem of colorism (defined as the over-representation of individuals of light skin) and its impact on textbooks recently purchased by Puerto Rico's Department of Education. We aim to document this problem, especially as it pertains to the visual representation of contemporary Puerto Rican society and culture. We also identify the types of illustrations where colorism is particularly evident in order to propose an intervention grounded in research that can inform how to portray Puerto Rican society in a more representative and anti-racist manner.

Theoretical Assumptions:
Colorism is often defined as the differential treatment given to a person because of the color of their skin, generally within their own ethnic or national group. It is used to highlight that the darker a person's skin, the more vulnerable they are to the effects of racism. In this study we look at the over-representation of light-skinned people in textbook images used to represent contemporary Puerto Rican society.

Methods:
The methodology used for this study is based on a six-point skin color scale developed for identifying the impact of colorism on health (Caraballo-Godreau 2021). This study also provided a representative tonal distribution for Puerto Rico. A total of 168 images of people including photographs, illustrations and caricatures were analyzed in four social studies textbooks. A total of eight variables were analyzed (gender, age, and skin color, size, position, medium, time-frame, color, and topic). Information on all variables were entered into a database which facilitated the identification of patterns and frequencies of representations. For skin color, three research assistants individually assessed the skin tones of all persons depicted in the images, using the provided six-point skin color scale. The average of the three independent evaluations was calculated for greater precision. Results were compared with the frequencies of skin tone distribution that is representative for Puerto Rico according to Caraballo-Godreau (2021).


Results:
The analysis of the images in the fourth-grade history textbooks revealed a clear pattern of over-representation of light-skinned people in contemporary representations of Puerto Rican society. The data supported the operational definition of colorism, indicating that textbooks tended to favor portraying individuals with lighter skin tones while marginalizing those with darker skin tones.

Conclusions:
The over-representation of light-skinned individuals perpetuates potentially harmful stereotypes and further marginalized communities with darker skin tones. To combat colorism and foster anti-racist education, it is essential to recommend visual content that portrays all people in a dignified and inclusive manner. The methodology employed in this study provides a valuable framework for future research and evaluation of visual content in educational materials. By developing a quantitative approach to image analysis, researchers can continue to document and address colorism in various contexts, fostering more equitable, dignified and accurate representations of diverse communities.

Authors

• Alaila L. Serrano-Gonzalez, Universidad de Puerto Rico en Cayey

• Aidyl Hernandez