I got into a comment fight on a video about Japan, over the idea that racism wasn't a fully global phenomenon, colorism is a different phenomenon, and you could have different forms in different places.

The people in the debate appeared to be black and white people, who, for different reasons, see the three things, race, color, and caste, as both unified, and universal. They were quite confident in their error, and were eager to correct me.

There wasn't room enough to get into it, but they were wrong. Not only that, but their confidence was borne, probably without their knowledge, from American Exceptionalism and Imperialism.

So I made a meme deck, which I'm sure won't reach most of them.

Caste

You’re born into a caste

Your caste limits your work options

You are supposed to marry within your caste

Similar to the English idea of Class

Associated with feudalism

Japan, India, China, Korea, Olde England, parts of Africa, Ancient Persia, parts of old Europe, etc.

Most forms were outlawed by the 20" century.

Colorism

Light skin is valued.

Spanish Casta system developed in the Americas, and informs our understanding.

Can meld with racism.

Can meld with casteism.

But is not racism or casteism.

Hinges on the idea of Race, or Ethnicity, or Nationality.

Is bounded by the state or nation, generally, because it depends on law.

In the US, White is on top, and Black in on the bottom. With some historical exceptions.

Often develops along with imperialism and capitalism.

Americans tend to think racism is the same globally. It’s not.

In the USA, these three things have combined and converged, to create a racial caste system, and colorism affecting the Black society. It may also create “blonde worship” affecting white society.