Of course, this phenomenon is nothing new to Black America. Phrases like “light, bright, and damn near white” have long pointed to the illusory benefit of lighter skin being perceived as preferable to darker skin — with “passing” as white providing a way of escaping the harsher realities of racism. Yet, African Americans have had decades to learn that such coping mechanisms have limited efficacy in the face of determined bigotry. Yet, here we are.
