Minorities Debate Skin Bleaching, Appropriation and Colourism | VICE Debates

In the Summer term, Year 9 will be studying Othello, by William Shakespeare.

The protagonist, Othello, is a black general in 17th Century society.

To find out more about current debates on race in modern society you will watch a video and answer
questions about it.
Watch the video from this weblink: Minorities Debate Skin Bleaching, Appropriation and
Colorism | VICE Debates

1. Explain one of the following ideas mentioned in the video.

a) Internalised racism
b) Colourism
c) Systemic racism
d) Cultural appropriation

You can research further on these websites: https://www.theconsciouskid.org/racial-literacy-key-terms, https://www.racialequitytools.org/glossary

https://www.britannica.com/story/what-is-cultural-appropriation

https://www.good-thinking.uk/blog/internalised-racism-and-oppression

2. Identify and write down three opinions shared in the discussions in the video.

E.g. One speaker said ‘lighter skinned people get more privileges.’

3. Explain one of the opinions in your own words.

E.g. The media promotes and photographs light skinned people, making light skin seem desirable.

4. Think of real life examples that relate to discussion, explain them.

E.g. Prince Harry (white) and Megan Markle (biracial) claimed that the royal palace was
concerned about what colour their children would be.

5. What did you learn about how to debate and disagree with others from watching the discussions
on the video? What types of ‘discussion behaviour’ should we bring to our own discussions in
school? E.g. Allowing speakers to finish making their points before responding.