Introduction
The short tale “Sweetness” by Toni Morrison sheds light on colorism’s pervasive effects on people and their interpersonal interactions in the United States. Students can investigate the themes of colorism, self-esteem, and relationships in the novel using the academic essay “Colorism and the Afro-Latinx Experience: A Review of the Literature” by Jenneil Charles. Society can better appreciate the negative impacts of colorism on a person’s identity and relationships with loved ones by looking at the narrator’s encounters and the dynamics in her family.
The Narrator’s Struggle with Self-Worth
In “Sweetness,” colorism greatly influences the narrator’s relationship with both herself and her daughter. The piece’s author, Jenneil Charles, underlines how colorism can affect a person’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem, frequently resulting in shame and inadequacy. The narrator struggles with her child’s identity as a woman with a dark complexion in a culture that values lighter-colored skin as the ideal of beauty.
As the narrator considers her experiences, she says, “Her color is a cross she will always carry’” (Morrison). This comment shows how colorism profoundly affects the narrator’s self-awareness because she internalizes society’s assessment of her daughter’s beauty, which supports colorist ideologies. The story clarifies the narrator’s battle with confidence and the damaging effects of colorism on her sense of self-worth.
Tension Between Mother and Daughter
In “Sweetness,” colorism significantly impacts the narrator’s connection with her daughter. According to Charles’ article, colorism can affect parent-child relationships because parents can reflect their prejudices and concerns onto their kids. “When … parents prepare their dark-skinned children for the reality that awaits them, …, these children experience higher self-esteem, greater feelings of attractiveness, greater affirmation of their ethnic identity and satisfaction with one’s skin color” (Charles, para. 30). This points to the possibility that the narrator’s stratagem can work in today’s imperfect world.
In the narrative, the narrator’s ingrained colorist attitudes and concern that her daughter could experience the same discrimination cause the tense relationship between the protagonist and her daughter. The narrator complains, “She doesn’t call or visit anymore” (Morrison), as she longs for a closer relationship with her daughter. This remark illustrates the emotional distance between the protagonist and her daughter due to the narrator’s attempts to protect her from the unfavorable effects of colorism. Their relationship is hampered by the consequences of colorism, which causes an overwhelming feeling of loss and a yearning for a stronger bond.
Colorism’s Effect on Family Dynamics
Colorism affects the family dynamics in “Sweetness” and the narrator’s relationships with herself and her daughter. The article by Jenneil Charles emphasizes how colorism can cause divides and hierarchies within households, continuing a cycle of prejudice. The author clarifies the ultimate objective of the struggle against racism, “The goal is to humanize the lived experiences of these groups to those who allow stereotypes and prejudice to dehumanize these groups” (Charles, para. 35).
The author highlights the need for dialogue and the initial mitigation of the issue in vulnerable communities. In the narrative, the narrator plays a big part in teaching colorist prejudices and a feeling of shame over dark skin. The narrator remembers her mother telling her “the price she paid for that decision” (Morrison). This statement serves as an example of how colorism is passed down through generations. The negative impacts of colorist attitudes are passed down from one generation of people to the following due to the influence of colorism inside the family, which causes conflict and feeds a vicious cycle of self-hatred.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Toni Morrison’s “Sweetness” vividly illustrates the damaging effects of colorism on people’s relationships with themselves and those closest to them. Humans can better comprehend how colorism affects the narrator’s self-awareness and relationships with her child by concluding Jenneil Charles’ article. The story is a powerful wake-up call to the pernicious effects of prejudice in society and the fight to accept oneself in facing the realities of racist norms. It highlights the importance of more excellent knowledge, understanding, and change by highlighting the pressing need to combat colorism and its severe effects on individuals and communities.
Works Cited
Charles, Jenneil. “Colorism and the Afro-Latinx Experience: A Review of the Literature.” Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, vol. 43, no. 1-2, 2021, pp. 8-31. Web.
Morrison, Toni. “Sweetness.” The New Yorker. 2015. Web.