Blackness, Colorism, and Epidermalization of Inferiority in Zora Neale Hurston’s Color Struck: A Fanonian Reading of the Play (original) (raw)

This paper explores the psychological and sociocultural implications of colorism through a Fanonian lens, particularly in Zora Neale Hurston's play Color Struck. It examines how the historical and systemic racism faced by African Americans has led to an inferiority complex, a phenomenon described by Frantz Fanon as "epidermalization of inferiority," where individuals internalize negative stereotypes associated with their skin color. The analysis reveals the pervasive impact of these stereotypes within the African American community, showcasing how both colorism and the legacy of colonial oppression continue to shape identities and relationships among black individuals.