Conversations around colorism arent new. But if youre just tuning in, the discourse around the last few years of Hollywood casting lays out a map of both the progress and setbacks. In 2018 we celebrated Black Panther for its power-casting of mostly dark-skinned black actors particularly women. In that same year, Crazy Rich Asians, celebrated for putting Asian-Americans front and center, faced criticism for featuring a fully light-skinned cast . And Netflixs Made in Mexico, a reality show following light-skinned Mexican socialites, had a similar downfall.

Hollywood sparks the debate, and the response across all minority groups reflects the nuances of how we see colorism evolving among ourselves. So across the Latinx, Black and Asian American communities, were trading notes about colorism in our communities.

I love being dark skinned. I cherish it, I think its one of the most beautiful things about me, said HuffPost Senior Reporter Zeba Blay. I think thats what so insidious about colorism is that you can feel however you feel about yourself, but how the world views you can chip away at that self-esteem.

For proof, do a quick search online for model Bria Myles. The second result links to a 2018 debate around the question of her beauty a debate whose existence is blasted for being fueled by colorism. We dont know how to talk about Black beauty without these caveats, without these debates. Why cant Black women in all shades and all forms just be beautiful and it not be up for debate? said Blay.