The Brief: "Dark Skin vs. Light Skin" trend on TikTok makes fun of light-skinned Black people or mixed people. These videos are marked by creators performing every day tasks in a sexy manner.
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TikTokers in the Black community are poking fun at the colorist divide among Black people by creating “Dark Skin vs. Light Skin” videos. Lighter people benefit from “light skin” privilege and other colorist ideals that perpetuate the stereotype that Black people (or mixed people) with fairer skin tones are closer to European, and as a result, more approachable, likeable, and better looking.
These ideals are mocked on TikTok by Black creators doing casual, mundane activities in a “sexy” manner. The videos are meant to be humorous, though, some might take offense. These TikToks are set to Chrishan’s “Sin City” (Remix) feat. Ty Dolla $ign. These TikToks began growing in popularity late May and early June 2020. There are currently over 1 million videos linked to the sound.
Creator @Dez2fly is making a name for himself as the CEO of this trend, having mocked light-skinned cops, doctors, uncles, students, barbers, dentists, and the list goes on. His videos are marked by the “light skin” individual flipping their hair and putting their arm out by their side.
@dez2fly 👁👄👁 He probably kissed the mop and twirled after #dez2fly #lightskin
One of his most popular takes poked fun at light-skinned protestors who attempted to bring about change with their good looks. His May 30 video was viewed over 6.1 million times and received over 1.1 million likes.
@dez2fly 👁👄👁 Lol yeah he needs to go to jail for that #comedy
His light-skinned toddler video was watched over 3.7 million times and received 714,000 likes.
@dez2fly 👁👄👁 Somebody come get they kid #lightskin #dez2fly #viral
TikToker @vicsweird compared how light-skinned people and dark-skinned people use the swings. It was viewed over 13.2 million times and amassed over 2.5 million likes.
@vcisweird I hate you lightskins 🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂 #fyp #lightskin #foryoupage #tiktoker #tiktok #blacklivesmatter #beingreal #lmao #happy
Creator @bbygshaii’s video about light-skinned people’s reactions to a bug bite was viewed over 1.9 million times and garnered over 466,000 likes.
@bbygshaii bored
Other takes on the trend:
@brynnewiilliams somebody take this app away from me #lightskin #sexyoverload #caution #supersexy #toosexy #emotional #ahaaaaaa #withoutme? #fyp
@namirwebber3 Harambe cousin looking diffrent😳 (repost)
@dreamchaserjayy Should I do more of these 😭 got some more heat for y’all later #fyp#foryou#foryoupage #trending#viral#comedy#relatable #4u#xyzbca