Texturism, Featurism, Colorism: What is That?

Hey everyone!

Today we will be talking about topic that is well known but never really spoken about. However, first we will need to dicuss what each word means before we can apply it to this video.

• The first word is Colorism. Colorism is deeply rooted in historical contexts, such as colonialism and slavery. It favors lighter skin tones over darker ones, leading to discrimination and self-esteem issues. To combat colorism, we must educate, promote diverse representation, and encourage self-love regardless of skin color.

• The second word is Featurism. Featurism focuses on specific facial features. It unfairly judges people based on their appearance, perpetuating stereotypes. By celebrating diverse features, challenging assumptions, and promoting media literacy, we can combat featurism.

• The last word is Texturism. Texturism targets natural hair textures. Discrimination against tighter curls in favor of looser ones erases the rich cultural heritage of Afro-textured hair. Representation, education, and self-acceptance are essential in combating texturism.

Collectively, we can create a more accepting and compassionate world by embracing diversity and challenging harmful norms. However, now that we understand the meanings of these words, we can now confidently incorporate them into our review of today's video.

I was able to find this very educational YouTuber who goes by the name Mayowa's World. She has couple of detailed videos that will dicuss what we previous mentioned. I chose Mayowa because she is a example of debunking unrealistic European beauty standards and embracing her own standard with her own unqiue beauty.

Video 1: Texturism

Review:

Watching this video hit closer to home due to the fact that I had my own personal struggles with my natural hair. 

Mayowa’s Take on Texturism: Mayowa dives into the idea that our natural hair is difficult to care for—a notion she believes is propaganda. She emphasizes that our hair’s natural state isn’t inherently hard to manage; rather, it’s the styling process that can be challenging. She points out that language matters: instead of saying our hair is “difficult,” we should recognize that styling choices create complexity. Mayowa also highlights the protective benefits of our natural hair, like shielding us from the sun and rain.

My Personal Journey: 

Growing up in Tennessee, I despised my natural hair. Middle school was tough—I felt like an outsider. Straight hair was the norm, and my kinky coils didn’t fit in. I spent hours detangling, trying to make my hair conform. But then, in sixth grade, my family moved to Georgia. Something shifted. I saw more people embracing their natural hair, celebrating their curls and kinks. Slowly, I started to appreciate my own. By senior year of high school, I decided to get dreadlocks. It was liberating—the ultimate acceptance of my natural beauty.

The Lies We’ve Been Sold:

Mayowa’s video resonated because I’ve witnessed the same deceit. Remember those perm boxes? The girls on the covers weren’t even getting perms! Companies perpetuated false ideals, pushing products that promised what they couldn’t deliver. And now, with a conservative shift, we’re seeing it again. The natural hair movement got gentrified—lies about lengthy routines, expensive products, and unrealistic transformations. But truthfully, my hair journey didn’t involve spending hundreds on products. It was about self-acceptance, embracing my roots, and finding beauty in my unique texture. This also ties into what I learned in my class about Soujuner Truth where she tells this powerful speech to the masses. At this time because of texturism, featurism, colorism and the overall "lesser than human" menatility, Black women were seen as Black men or even lowley beasts. In addition, white women were seen as fragile and "damsels in distress" because of internalized racism it has still plays a role in today's society. Nevertheless, as Black women reclaim their pride and power, so does the proclaimation of their hair, features, skin tone and voices.

All in all, our natural hair isn’t a burden—it’s a crown. And as I rock my dreadlocks, I know I’m reclaiming my identity, one coil at a time.

Video 2: Featurism

Review:

Mayowa’s video is a powerful commentary on featurism and its impact on Black women, particularly in the entertainment industry. Her discussion about Francesca Amewudah’s casting as Juliet and the backlash it received is a stark reminder of how society’s beauty standards are still deeply rooted in Eurocentric ideals.

As someone who has struggled with my own features, Mayowa’s words resonate with me. Growing up in Tennessee, I felt the pressure to conform to a standard that didn’t represent me. My features were not the celebrated norm, and it took moving to Georgia and seeing a more diverse representation of Black beauty for me to start appreciating my own. I didn't really start seeing anything until I got to college when I was around my own community; however, this video has made me realize the progress I have made.

Mayowa’s critique of the preference for racially ambiguous or mixed-race individuals to represent Blackness in media is thought-provoking. It challenges us to consider how this not only erases monoracial Black individuals but also skews perceptions of progress within the Black community. Her call to recognize and celebrate unambiguous Black features is a call to action for all of us to redefine beauty standards and embrace the diversity within Blackness.

This video is a personal reminder of the importance of loving ourselves in a world that often tells us we’re not enough. It’s a reminder that our features are not flaws—they are a testament to our heritage and strength. Mayowa’s message is clear: we must continue to fight against featurism and advocate for the representation of all Black women, in all their diverse beauty. 

Video 3: Colorism

Review:

    As a 19-year-old Black woman in college, I recently came across Mayowa’s video review, and let me tell you, it hit home. She tackled the pervasive issue of colorism head-on, especially within our own Black community. The way she started off—raw and honest—sharing her current emotional state and hinting at personal challenges, set the tone for an authentic discussion. Now, let’s talk about TikTok. Mayowa’s focus on videos that address colorism was refreshing. She deliberately chose content that was educational and uplifting, steering clear of the derogatory stuff. And honestly, I appreciated that. We need more of that energy.

    But here’s where it gets real. Mayowa passionately critiqued the whole “preference” narrative. You know the one: “It’s just my preference.” Yeah, that one. She called it out for what it often is—a flimsy veil masking deep-seated biases rooted in white supremacy. And let me tell you, her personal anecdotes hit me like a ton of bricks. The insecurities, the insults—all because of her beautiful dark skin. It’s messed up, but it’s our everyday reality. And don’t even get me started on corporate hypocrisy. Mayowa pointed out how companies play both sides. They market skin bleaching products in one region while preaching self-love and empowerment in another. It’s a double standard that makes my blood boil. Seriously, Dove, you can’t have it both ways.

    Now, media representation. Netflix, we need to talk. Why is it that dark-skinned women are either erased or typecast? If we’re not in jail or enslaved, we’re the “starter wife.” It’s infuriating. And Mayowa’s frustration with this—oh, it’s palpable. She’s calling for accountability, not just in our personal attitudes but in the very structures that perpetuate colorism.

    So, here’s the deal. Mayowa’s video is a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that we’ve got work to do. We need to recognize and dismantle those insidious structures. And her unfiltered approach? Yeah, that’s the energy we need to keep pushing for true representation and equality. 

Conclusion

Thank you for taking the time to read my daily post. Don't hesitate to comment how you feel about any of these topics. Other than that, I will see you next time, take care!

Work Cited

Morrison, T. (2024). Chapter IV: The Agenda of the Africana Womanist. In Africana Womanism: Reclaiming Ourselves (6th ed., pp. 1–230). essay, Routledge

Taylor, Keeanga-Yamahtta, editor. How We Get Free: Black Feminism and the Combahee River Collective. Haymarket Books, 2017.

Walkins, Gloria (1981): Ain't I a Woman. South End Press, Boston (1st ed., pp. 1-107). essay, bell hooks