My name is Toluwa and I identify as Black. I grew up in South London which has a significant Black population, and as such had an influence on my upbringing. I was aged around 10/11 when I noticed that I was different to the wider population. Both of my parents are Nigerian, my father is from the south & dark skinned and my mother is of a lighter complexion & from the north. Whilst recognising how colourism affected me as a African-British girl, I also witnessed Colourism within a Nigerian context. I’ve noticed that those of a lighter complexion can be more favoured in the media and entertainment industries, and I became aware of that differential treatment in everyday actions. This began in my early adolescence. I have always been happy to be called Black and my parents and local people encouraged me to love my Blackness and I am very aware of how issues of complexion play out in society and in the beauty industry. Thank God for Rihanna who revolutionised make-up by catering for dark-skin complexions in an inclusive and celebratory way through her products. As a Black woman my closing comment would be that we should not absorb the cliches that society creates about who we are, and we should resist the boxes regarding complexion that they want to push into. Black is Black and it’s beautiful in all its shades.

My preferred name is Zola which happens to be my middle name. Growing up I identified as Black African and British Preferably, I would rather be described as to who I am and not as a social construct even though I acknowledge that the social construct does exist. My parents identified themselves as Zimbabwean and acknowledged their Xhosa/Zulu roots. My view is that those of a lighter complexion are treated differently than those of a darker complexion because lighter skin is closer to the supposed idea of Whiteness, but this is still another form of oppression. I related to Black Lives Matter because it was an opportunity for Black voices to be heard. I feel most Black when I can be myself in Black spaces. I find it discouraging and tiring when I am approached by White people appropriating Black remarks such as “Whah Gwaan” or “What’s Up” in a phony “Black” accent. Nonetheless, I feel least Black when engaging in stereotypically White activities—such as watching anime—in Black spaces from accusations of being "whitewashed". There are stereotypes on both sides for lighter and darker men and women such as lighter skin women are more desirable and darker skin men are more ferocious and aggressive. To quote Kendrick Lamar “Complexion….Don’t Mean a Thing”. We are all from the same cloth and source and we are all oppressed in different ways…….that’s all we need to know and that’s how best we can navigate the issue in the world around us.

My name is Bootsie and I describe myself as an average sub-Saharan African of a dark brown complexion. The reality is that most people classified as Black are actually dark brown and as a child, I was not overly conscious of my complexion. My parents are Zimbabwean, and the issue of complexion was not something they spoke of however, my sense of identity came mostly from my mother. I do believe that those of a lighter complexion are treated better than those of a darker complexion. They are more sought after; they have the best of both worlds and are more socially valued. Although I recognised Black Lives Matter and issues of police brutality and institutional racism, I could not fully relate to it but appreciated that such issues may affect me in the future. I feel more Black when I am in the company of other Black people and that happens to me more in Southampton than where I live in Portsmouth where there are relatively fewer Black people. I think that women are affected by Colourism more than men and more exposed to whitening products and sometimes as Black people we have a preference for those of a lighter complexion.

My name is Abigail and I am Black girl with Brown skin born in Kenya and because I was living with people just like me in Africa colour was not an issue. When I came to England when I was 6 years of age, I was the only Black girl at school, and I became more self-aware of my colour. My parents always made me comfortable and proud of their Black identity. Although both parents contributed to my sense of identity my mother was a greater influence. Even though I see myself as dark skin I was seen as light skin by some and I became aware that those of a lighter complexion were considered to be more attractive, but I personally think that dark skin has a special quality and the melanin is so beautiful. Colourism affects women differently where dark skin women are seen as unattractive but dark Skin men are seen as attractive and many are not particularly attracted to dark skin women. When Black Lives Matter was popular, I was pleased because Racism was everywhere, and the movement gave Black people the courage to stand up. I certainly felt more Black when I was around Black people but I was conscious that society was more comfortable with those of a lighter complexion but my confidence in my own complexion gave me strength and I am proud to be Black!

My Name is Abdulrahman Sanneh, and I would describe myself as a dark-skinned individual. I had a mix of both worlds, as a child I was born in the UK but also as a child spent 4/5 years in Gambia, and those influences had different perceptions about colour. When I was in school in the UK I stood out and I was self-aware as Black but in Gambia I was regular and one of the crowd so the issue of colour/complexion were not so relevant. My parents are proud to be Black Gambian British  and take pride in their colour and identify themselves as Black. My sense of identity was influenced by both parents but more so by my father because when he came to the UK where he experienced a great deal of discrimination, and some based on his complexion. I believe that lighter skin Black people are treated better and at secondary school the White kids preferred to talk to the lighter skin kids as they did not recognise them as fully African and some lighter skin people sometimes did not want to associate with darker skin people and I appreciated that they might also be struggling with their own colour. However, when I went to Birmingham, I encountered other dark-skinned Gambians just like me who took pride in their colour and this gave me confidence. I certainly felt more Black when we had those gatherings and parties with people that I shared my culture, background and history with. Sometimes I felt less Black when I envied the so-called freedoms that I thought White boys had which were not as glamorous as I thought at the time. Black Lives Matter was a time which was inspiring and sad and influenced my poetry writing and gave me further confidence to express myself artistically. I agree that both men and women are subjected to the stereotypes of Colourism where lighter skin women are favoured over darker skinned women who are considered to be unattractive and darker skinned men are seen as dangerous and frightening. It is my view that we should expose our children, friends and colleagues and others to the more positive aspects of our colour/complexion.

My name is Jasmine, and my mother was categorised as a “Coloured” South African - this was a term originally used to distinguish people with mixed heritage under Apartheid but is now a racial identity in the country. She traces some of her heritage to Ivory Coast, while my father is a white man from Birmingham. I would describe myself as a very light skinned person of colour. I came to the UK from South Africa with my parents aged 5 and lived in Poole, where I had very few frames of reference regarding colour and identity. 

As a young person I would describe myself as “Coloured” but did not know the complicated racial implications the term had in the UK until later. In my late teens, I started to realise that as a light skinned person of partial African heritage, I could easily participate in social spaces that darker skinned Black people could not. Although I had complicated feelings about my ability to connect to Black identity, I felt that I could relate to and should get involved in the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. Through experience and education, I have come to appreciate that Black people with lighter skin have been treated differently to Black people of a darker complexion and were often considered more desirable in Black communities. I feel that one of the unfortunate consequences of Colourism is that it is an impediment to Black solidarity and sometimes divides the different types of “Black” people.

My Name is Dowayne Neufville Jr. When I am around White people, I see myself as Black and when I am around darker skin people they see me as light skin. As a small child before school age, I was not particularly aware of my colour/complexion but as I became older, around the age of 10/11 IO became more self-aware. Both my parents identify as Black, but my mother is of a lighter complexion, and she categorises herself as Black and my father who is Dark skin identifies himself as Black. My sense of identity is derived from both parents, and I am more comfortable to be categorised as Black….but I am more than that. I think that lighter skin Black people are treated better, and my mother has experienced it. I believe that Black people who do not know their history can be confused about their identity and an understanding of our history can help us to understand each other.

I describe myself as mixed race. Very early on I didn’t have much awareness of my complexion - I don’t remember it being highlighted to me. In hindsight I did appear more “white” than most of White people. I had almost see-through blonde hair and tanned very easily and very quickly. My dad had long dark dreadlocks and darker skin so we had a noticeable contrast side-by-side. I became more aware of my complexion when I began to pick up on strangers speculating as to whether we were related, probably because my dad’s behaviour would shift. My dad has a very strong connection to his roots and identifies himself as Black, while my mum is of Irish and Scottish descent. I think my sense of identity was drawn from both parents, but my hair was a significant factor in developing that. My mum, as a White woman, was not too sure what to do with my natural texture so it always felt like a bit of a science experiment. Unfortunately, I do believe lighter skin people are treated differently; I saw that reflected in how my dad was treated in comparison to me, particularly when we were together. I have become more conscious of my complexion over the last 5 years, I think the internet has helped me to see a lot more people like me and hearing their stories has helped me build up the courage to step forward as a lighter skinned mixed race woman. A large part of my discomfort stemmed from not feeling “Black” enough to satisfy other people's definition of Blackness, but I have always been too much of something else to be “White”. I become more aware of my “other-ness” when I return from holiday, much more tanned than White people. I sense how differently I am perceived with comments as to how “Brown” I look to those unaware of my Black heritage. I often feel torn between responsibility and uncertainty - not wanting to make people feel awkward. I had an emotional and visceral response to the Black Lives Matter issue, but I felt that I was not informed as I should have been and could not speak well on it. For a long time I felt uncomfortable in claiming the Black identity. I know that most people would not refer to me as such and I do not have a cultural connection to my heritage, due to a societal and cultural narrative around integration when my dad was born. If I had to choose identifying myself as Black or Brown, I would choose Black because Brown feels like skirting around the issue and almost diluting it to make it more palatable for people. Currently, I do feel that women are more affected by Colourism than men, not just because they have to work that bit harder in certain scenarios and environments, but also because again the subject of being ‘too much’ of one thing or ‘not enough’ of another is something I feel Black women face on a day-to-day basis, and it hugely affects how they navigate the world. Being part of this exhibition is something I’ll carry with me for a long time - if I one day have children it will be a part of a complicated but beautiful legacy! I hope putting my face and truth up for the public to see will help develop wider understanding and deepen conversation around the issue.

I would describe myself as Brown but very light. I was first aware of my colour/complexion when I was about 8/10 years of age and most of the kids at school were White. My dad is mixed race and would identify himself as Brown not Black, but mum is white, and my sense of identity was influenced more by my mum.  I believe that lighter skin Black people are treated differently to darker skin Black people…because personal bias is evidenced through history…especially those that can pass for White. I related to the Black Lives Matter issue and I felt connected because it was a matter of human lives. The term Black not often used to reference me, but they would call me Brown. I feel more Black when I do my hair or wearing bright yellow clothes. When it comes to colourism affecting men and women, Black women are more fetishized and sexualised and Colourism affects both genders in different ways. Even though I am mixed and call myself Brown many people seem to think I am White or Romanian because of my hair and my lighter complexion.

My name is Elliott and identify myself as mixed-race with a Black mum and white dad and you get a bit of both cultures and colours. As a child I went to a diverse school rubbing shoulders with kids of different colours and cultures. As a lighter skin person, I can sometimes present as Arab or Latino, but I have always been aware of my Black roots.. Growing up I was influenced by my mum who had an association with Black communities and Black History which made me more aware of my Black heritage. My mother was London born but her mother was Jamaican, and she was a proud, strong independent Black woman and my father had Irish roots and my sense of identity was also influenced by my father’s roots. I believe that having a lighter complexion might exclude such people from certain aspects of discrimination but conversely, they might not be accepted by some of a darker complexion. I have never considered my complexion as something that was problematic, and I have never experienced racism based on my colour or complexion. I was particularly conscious of the Black Lives Matter movement when I had a hard stop by 3 police cars and 10 officers who thought that I had committed a robbery….they later let me go when they realised that they had got the wrong guy. I felt powerless and this gave me a flavour of the issues Black Lives Matter were talking about. I live in part of rural Hampshire and when I visit my sister in Brixton, I definitely feel more Black but Brown is a more accurate description.

My Name is Reubin Yarnold, and I would describe myself as Black. As a child, I was aware that I was different because at school I was one of the few people who were either Asian, Mixed Race, or African.  I definitely felt that I stood out, but then, I did not quite feel “Black” yet. I would describe myself as half-caste….However, I soon discovered that was not the term I should use to self-identify as. I knew that I was mixed because my parents were Black and White….but I did not understand where I came from. My mum identified herself as Black, but my dad is White, and probably would not identify himself as such because many White people do not necessarily classify themselves as White….or what was considered to be the norm! Neither of my parents had a great influence on my identity; it was something I had to develop for myself….and although my mother was Jamaican, I was rarely exposed to that culture. I believe that lighter-skinned Black people are definitely treated differently from darker-skinned Black people. When I went to secondary school, there were not many Black people, and I had hoped to migrate to other Black groups and feel part of them, but I felt singled out, and I did not feel Black enough. I felt that I didn’t dress or talk Black enough and not White enough because you are visibly not White… and I sat in the middle of some kind of “purgatory” … and that definitely has an effect on your identity. I know a lot of mixed-race people who share that sentiment of not knowing how to fit in and be appropriate in both cultures. Black Lives Matter awakened something in me, and it gave me a certain kind of pride, which came at the right time for me to stand for something as I was coming to terms with my identity and culture. I now feel very comfortable being called Black these days because of the previous experience of being called mixed race or half caste. I believe that Brown is an unnecessary category when relating to those of an African or Caribbean background…..Black is more binding. 

I have always been described as having light or fair skin. Yet, there is a wide spectrum between light skin and brown skin, and I’ve been aware of where I fall on that scale from a young age. As a child, I was observant, and I quickly realized how my skin colour influenced how others perceived me. Attending a predominantly White school heightened that awareness and often made me feel self-conscious.

I was raised by both of my parents, who identified as Black. My sense of identity has been shaped by them, though I have always had a particularly direct connection with my mother. Her complexion is closer to mine, and through our conversations (especially about hair) her beliefs and ideology have strongly influenced who I am today.

The Black Lives Matter movement also impacted me deeply. I was frustrated by the “All Lives Matter” response, though I understood the issues it attempted to address. For me, BLM was not just political, it was cultural and tied to my lived experience. I feel comfortable identifying as Black. Still, that identity shifts depending on the space I’m in: with some of my African friends, whose deeper connection to their roots and darker complexions make me feel “less Black,” but in predominantly White spaces, I feel “more Black.”

Colourism complicates this further. It affects men and women differently. Light-skinned women and dark-skinned men are often fetishized, though in different ways. In recent years, both light-skinned women and dark-skinned men have been seen as “cool” or desirable, yet often for reasons rooted in stereotypes rather than genuine acceptance. At times, White people use their associations with us as a shield against accusations of racism.

Nonetheless, despite the variations in complexion and experience, we are all Black—just in different ways.

Yesterday afternoon we welcomed staff and students to join us for a conversation about the Colourism exhibition, which we are proud to have displayed on campus throughout October as part of hashtag#BlackHistoryMonth.

We were joined by honorary doctorate, Don John, photographer Nosa Malcolm, Anthony Smith, Helena Boyce and Dr. Abdoulie Sanneh. Our thanks to our inspiring speakers, and those who attended, for bringing important conversations to campus.
Universities are anchors in their communities; places where people can connect. We are delighted to have brought people together this Black History Month, and will continue to do so.

How October Books used social media to publicise the event.

Arts Council England Facebook page.

Arts Council England Instagram page.

Arts Council England Instagram page.

We received coverage on BBC news, as well as extensive coverage on the BBC website.

John Hansard Gallery - Facebook

John Hansard - X

John Hansard Gallery - Instagram

I was born in the Gambia to black parents. I was the first in our family to attend school. I came to Southampton in 2002 to study MSc in Health Education and health promotion and proceeded to complete my PhD at Southampton University. My wife and I have 1 boy and 3 girls born at The Princess Anne Hospital. Our entire family are black African Muslim and we are proud to be black.

I was born in London and now live in Hampshire. Both of my parents migrated from Nigeria in the early 1950s as part of the drive to fill employment places in the NHS and railways. They both remained in the UK until 1973. I would describe myself as Black, African, Nigerian, or Black British depending on who's asking.

I was born in Southampton in 1958. Both of my parents migrated from St Vincent in the Caribbean in 1957 and were part of the so called Windrush Generation. They lived in Southampton up until 1983 then retired back to St Vincent. I'm proud to describe myself as Black.

My parents were born in Grenada and my mother was part of the Windrush Generation in 1960. I was born in Grenada, and I came to the UK in1970 to study nursing in the field of Haemoglobinopathy (Sickle cell & Thalassaemia) to become the first counsellor in Southampton in 1993. I consider myself to be Black.

Both parents are from St Vincent, and I was born in Southampton, and I lived in the Black community in the inner city. I went to The Deanery school in St Marys which had a significant number of Black pupils. I describe myself as Black.

I am a first generation mixed heritage child of Jamaican and English descent. My father is an immigrant from the Windrush generation and my Mother is English with Welsh maternal roots. I am equally comfortable with the terms, Black or Dual Ethnicity as a way to describe my identity.

I was born in Morocco. My father came to the UK in the late 60’s working in different cities across the south. My mother and I joined him in Southampton in the mid 70’s. I would describe myself as Black.

Both my parents are Jamaican and always lived in Jamaica. I was born in Jamaica in 1974, came to Southampton in 1996, and am the second eldest of four children. I definitely identify myself as Black, although going to school I was one of the lighter skin pupils. Nonetheless, I never felt at any time that I wasn’t black enough by my friends and families. I am very proud to be Black.

My Mother is Irish and my Father is from St Lucia. My Father came to England at the age of 11 in the 60’s and is part of the Windrush Generation. I was born in Portsmouth in 1977 and I am the youngest of 3 with 2 older brothers. Yes, I absolutely identify and would describe myself as Black. Growing up in an almost completely ‘white space’ I was the only girl that looked like me. I was the black kid and received enough abuse and bullying to understand that despite my light complexion, I was never ‘white enough’. I am Black and Proud!

I was born in Southampton. On my mother’s side, my grandad is the son of an African American WW2 soldier who was stationed in England during the 40s. My grandma came over to England from Kingston, Jamaica in the 60s. On my father‘s side I have German and Chinese heritage. I would describe myself as part-Black. I have always felt very Jamaican and proud to be. Even whilst being very light skinned compared to them I have never felt out of place or different just for the colour of my skin.