Being suspicious of people because of the skin they’re in is to judge them by their color instead of by the content of their character. The color of a person’s skin is never a shameful thing, but corrupt character content always is.

For centuries skin color was seen as an excuse for abuse. Today it’s still often used as an excuse for suspicion. Skin-shaming creates a climate for injustice. Skin color is never indicative of a person’s character or intelligence.

A “My skin is better than your skin,” attitude is dangerous. If someone truly believes that all skin color-shaming is gone, they will have no skin color preference.

History that minimizes (or ignores) some people’s accomplishments and suffering because of their skin color is inaccurate Until history is taught without regard to skin color and simply seen as what people did to people, our view of the past will be skewed. People should never feel shame or pride because of their skin color.

A colorblind reading of history evaluates historical figures by all their beliefs and behaviors. It neither excuses nor blames them because of their skin color. Regardless of the skin-shaming in history, all skin color is equal. It was in the past. It is today. It will be forever.

Jesus said, “What you did to the least of these you did unto Me.” Skin color has never been a valid excuse to mistreat people. The sin of skin-shaming is so subtle that it can influence us below the level of our awareness.

I had no choice. I was born in the skin I’m in. If you’re either proud of or ashamed of the skin you’re in, you’re focused on something that you had nothing to do with.

It’s not easy to get centuries of skin color-shaming out of a culture’s structures and belief systems. However, after centuries of black-skin-shaming, Black History Month invites all people to discover the greatness of African Americans. This can help erase the racial myths left behind by skin color-shaming.