Confronting Colorism: Growing Up Dark-Skinned and Punjabi in Canada

Chand Bhangal, Indian-Canadian activist, reclaiming beauty as a dark-skinned Punjabi woman and challenging colorism in South Asian communities.

Experiencing Colorism in Punjabi Communities

My name is Chand Bhangal (@chandbhangal), and I'm an activist, content creator, and social media strategist from Brampton, Ontario. My pronouns are she/her, and I identify as an Indian-Canadian woman.

I grew up around a diverse group of Caribbean and South Asian people. But as a dark-skinned Punjabi girl, I didn’t know anyone who looked like me. Many in my Punjabi community couldn’t relate to my experiences with colorism, and I had no one to talk to about it.

From childhood, I heard remarks like:

• “Wear long sleeves so you don’t tan.”

• “Pink doesn’t look good on dark skin.”

These comments—mainly from family, cousins, and elders—left me feeling uncomfortable and ashamed of my complexion.

How Colorism Shaped My Childhood and Teenage Years

My skin tone was often the first thing bullies targeted whenever we moved. By high school, the message was clear: I was told to pick a prom dress that would make me look lighter.

At that point, I believed I wasn’t beautiful. My culture, my people, and society had convinced me my skin was something to hide. If everyone thinks this is true, they must be right, I told myself.

But even in my twenties, I realized that escaping colorism was naive. At a party, while breaking up an argument, a South Asian man tried to insult me by calling me the N-word.

Colorism, Anti-Blackness, and Colonial Legacy

Colorism is not harmless—it is rooted in anti-Blackness. During colonialism, Europeans exploited and entrenched a skin-tone hierarchy, privileging light skin over dark. This colonial legacy continues to shape South Asian culture today, especially in Punjabi communities.

As a dark-skinned Punjabi woman, I’ve lived through the same criticisms that my dark-skinned Black counterparts endure. This overlap shows how colorism and anti-Blackness are intertwined across cultures.

For further context, scholars have written extensively on colorism’s colonial roots and its links to caste and racial hierarchies.

Reclaiming My Identity and Calling for Change

Today, I’m committed to challenging colorism and anti-Blackness in Indian communities. My goal is to help create spaces where all are welcomed, celebrated, and respected.

The lessons I carry forward:

• Colorism is learned—and it can be unlearned.

• Anti-Blackness harms us all. Recognizing it is the first step toward change.

• Dark skin is beautiful. 

• Our communities must celebrate melanin instead of shaming it.

Here’s to melanin, and all its glory.

FAQs on Colorism and Anti-Blackness

What is colorism?Colorism is discrimination based on skin tone, where lighter skin is privileged over darker skin. It is especially prevalent in South Asian and Black communities and is directly tied to colonial hierarchies.

How is colorism connected to anti-Blackness?Colorism is rooted in anti-Blackness. Colonizers created a racial hierarchy that elevated whiteness and lighter skin while devaluing Blackness and darker tones. These ideas continue to influence South Asian and global societies today.

Why is colorism harmful?Colorism reinforces self-hate, divides communities, and upholds systems of oppression. It impacts self-esteem, access to opportunities, and perpetuates anti-Black bias.