Sent every Tuesday

Hey y’all. Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is coming to a close, but our social change opportunities for AAPI-identifying members are just getting started.

Do you identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander? Do you have an idea to make an impact in your community? Answer 2 easy questions to apply for a grant by June 25. You could win one of four $250 grants to make your social change idea a reality! (And if you’re looking for inspiration, check out what these young AAPI activists are doing.)

Let's Do This,

Ben (he/him), Editor-in-chief

Confront Colorism: How the DoSomething Community Is Helping Identify and Dismantle Skin-Tone Discrimination

The Problem

Colorism is the social marginalization and systemic oppression of people with darker skin tones and the privileging of people with lighter skin tones. 

Where racism discriminates against people based on their racial identity, colorism discriminates based on the shade or tone of a person’s complexion. (Because people of different races can have the same skin tone, and people of the same race can have different skin tones.) 

Colorism is a byproduct of racism and white supremacy, and it has roots throughout history -- including the American slave system, where an enslaved person’s skin tone often helped determine their work assignment and influenced their likelihood of being freed. 

However, skin tone discrimination definitely isn’t a thing of the past. The systemic consequences of colorism are still felt to this day. For example:

• The darkest skinned Black Americans have 121% higher odds of ever having been arrested compared to the lightest-skinned (even when controlled for delinquency and prior illegal behavior).
• Darker-skinned girls are 3.4 times as likely to be suspended than lighter-skinned girls, and darker-skinned boys are 2.5 times as likely to be suspended than lighter-skinned boys.
• Colorism is associated with worse physical health outcomes, including higher instances of cardiovascular disease, pain-related disorders, and overall morbidity for darker-skinned individuals.
• Nearly 80% of Black female characters in film and television have light or medium skin tones.

The Solution

The DoSomething community is educating their friends on the history, prevalence, and harm of colorism through our Confront Colorism campaign. By taking and sharing our quiz, they’re learning how to spot instances of colorism and the steps they can take to dismantle it. 

“Colorism has roots in every aspect of life, and it harms the wellbeing and success of millions of dark-skinned humans,” says DoSomething member Charlotte, 18. “To dismantle this harmful bias on a broad scale, it is important to start at grassroots education.” 

So far, 46,234 DoSomething members have signed up to identify and advocate against colorism in their lives, and they’re starting crucial conversations with friends and family about skin tone discrimination to fight bias and promote healing.

“As a person of color myself, I understand and have experienced the negative effects of colorism,” says DoSomething member Anika, 18. “With all that’s going on in our world right now, we need to learn to love and embrace one another despite the color of our skin. It’s a matter of breaking the cycle of hate, and promoting awareness for the betterment of our community.”

Join the DoSomething community in confronting colorism by taking and sharing our 11-question quiz (and checking out our guide on how to spot and address colorism).

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and studies show that positive messages from friends can have a huge impact on young people’s self-image, self-esteem, and mental health. 

That’s why DoSomething members like Dorothea, Jevin, and Sundus are highlighting the things that make their friends great -- particularly the things that a photo can’t capture. Learn how to boost friends’ self-esteem by showcasing #WhatsNotPictured and sharing mental health resources this month and beyond.

Join the 50in50 Campaign… to team up with youth activists in every state to fight cancer.

Learn more about how… Gen Z is investing to save for the future (featuring insights from DoSomething Strategic)!

This week in Black joy… 21-year-old Jeremiah Paprocki makes history as the first Black PA announcer for the Chicago Cubs.

Do you identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander? Do you have an idea to make an impact in your community? Answer 2 easy questions to apply by June 25. You could win one of four $250 grants to make your social chance idea a reality!

More Amazing Impact From the DoSomething Community!

We asked you to brag about the amazing stuff you’re doing, and you did not disappoint. Here are some of our favorite answers from the DoSomething community. (Psst...submit yours here!)

“I started my own website, Cabinet of Curiosities, where I write about progressive and unconventional topics, and send out monthly newsletters about current world affairs. I also worked on my own Android App to keep people well informed, and it's launching this summer!”

- DoSomething member Anushka, 14, India

“I am an online volunteer currently working with the United Nations on sustainable development goals. It is something I like doing, contributing my time and experience towards peace and security.”

- DoSomething member Beauty, 26, Nigeria

“I took initiative in getting myself an emotional support bunny, and I will be adopting him.”

- DoSomething member Bri, 17, New York

Finding this newsletter useful? Forward today's edition to a friend and encourage them to subscribe.