The Effects of Skin Tone and Gender on Racial Microaggressions and Racial Teasing

Abstract

In the framework of racial taunting and microaggressions, this research paper explored the relationship between skin color and gender. The present research examines how people who have several marginalized identities may be more susceptible to encounters with racial microaggressions and teasing. It does so by using an intersectional framework, more specifically, by examining the intersection of skin tone and gender on racial microaggressions, teasing, and colorism. This research contributes to a deeper comprehension of the effects of racism on marginalized people and communities by highlighting the complex ways that skin tone and gender intersect to influence experiences of racial microaggressions and teasing. Results from the current study indicated that regardless of gender, Black women and men of darker skin tones faced more racial microaggressions. Black men hold more colorist views. Regardless of skin tone or gender, there were no effects on racial teasing. The conclusions and suggestions made in this study can help with the creation of successful interventions meant to lessen racial prejudice and encourage inclusion.

Keywords: Racial teasing, Intersectionality, Racial microaggressions, Colorism, Skin tone