Colorism and its harmful effects were discussed. Colorism refers to discrimination against individuals with darker skin within the same racial group. Various "tests" from history were described, such as the brown paper bag test and ruler test, which were used to determine if one's skin was light enough to gain acceptance or privilege. The discussion then covered the destructive legacy of Willie Lynch and his techniques for pitting slaves against each other based on physical attributes in order to maintain control over hundreds of years. The document concluded with announcements for upcoming social justice-focused events on campus.

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Colorism
MRULE EAST

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Welcome

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MRULES
Silence your technology
Save food and drink for late night
One voice at a time
Step up, Step back
Give it to the group

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Definitions
Colorism: Racism within members of the same race
based solely on skin color. Colorism is a practice of
discrimination by where typically those with lighter
skin are treated more favorably than those with
darker skin.
Exotism: The quality or state of being exotic.
Passing: A person classified as a member of one
racial group also seen as a member of a different
racial group.

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Activity
BINGO

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Definitions Brown Paper Bag Test: A test used to determine if a Black person was
sufficiently white to gain admittance or acceptance. If your skin was darker than
a brown paper bag, you did not merit inclusion. Used in Colleges and
Universities/Upper/Middle Class events. This was created by the Paper Bag
Party. Created a Black Caste system. (Lighter skinned blacks)
 Ruler Test: A test used in 19th middle and upper class Black communities to
decide of a black American was sufficiently white enough to warrant inclusion.
The idea is that your hair should be as straight as a ruler. Used in the 1900s for
Upper Class societies to determine if one was “White enough” to gain
admittance or acceptance.
 Comb Test: When in doubt about someone’s race, someone would run a comb
fine tooth comb through someone’s hair in order to see if they were white. If the
comb ran through smoothly; white. Typically used in South Africa during the
Apartheid.

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Willie Lynch I HAVE A FULL PROOF METHOD FOR CONTROLLING YOUR BLACK
SLAVES. I guarantee every one of you that, if installed correctly, IT WILL CONTROL
THE SLAVES FOR AT LEAST 300 HUNDREDS YEARS…. I HAVE OUTLINED
A NUMBER OF DIFFERENCES AMONG THE SLAVES; AND I TAKE THESE
DIFFERENCES AND MAKE THEM BIGGER. I USE FEAR, DISTRUST AND
ENVY FOR CONTROL PURPOSES….The second is “COLOR” or shade. There is
INTELLIGENCE, SIZE, SEX, SIZES OF PLANTATIONS, STATUS on plantations,
ATTITUDEof owners, whether the slaves live in the valley, on a hill, East, West, North,
South, have fine hair, course hair, or is tall or short. Now that you have a list of
differences, I shall give you an outline of action, but before that, I shall assure you that
DISTRUST IS STRONGER THAN TRUST AND ENVY STRONGER THAN
ADULATION, RESPECT OR ADMIRATION.Don’t forget, you must pitch the OLD
black male vs. the YOUNG black male, and the YOUNG black male against the OLD
black male. You must use the DARK skin slaves vs. the LIGHT skin slaves, and the
LIGHT skin slaves vs. the DARK skin slaves. You must use the FEMALE vs. the
MALE, and the MALE vs. the FEMALE.

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Discussion

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Announcements
 Tunnel of Oppression @Mosaic Multicultural Unity Center 6pm,
7pm, and 8pm
 Spartans Against Slavery Benefit Concert @ Wharton Center
7:30pm on Wednesday the 16th!!
 “Spit Fire” Poetry Slam @C102 Wilson Hall 7pm
 Kongamano Magazine 10$ for VVOCF feeding program
 Next meeting is our last!!! It’s a party, and will have an
activity that you will not want to miss!

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LATE NIGHT