Which term describes discrimination based on skin tone within a racial group?

• A. Co-ethnic
• B. Colorism
• C. Aversive racism
• D. Benevolent sexism

Answer: (B)

Colorism describes discrimination based on skin tone within a racial group. It captures how lighter skin is often favored and darker skin faces bias in areas like appearance, dating, job prospects, and media representation, even though both groups share the same race. This intra-group bias has roots in historical hierarchies and persistent beauty standards that value lighter complexions. The other terms refer to different ideas: co-ethnic means belonging to the same ethnic group, aversive racism involves subconscious or subtle racial bias that clashes with egalitarian values, and benevolent sexism refers to protective but still discriminatory attitudes toward women, not color-based discrimination within a racial group.