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.

Bluesquiggle
DEEP DIVE

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

πŸ‘πŸ‘„πŸ‘ He probably kissed the mop and twirled after #dez2fly #lightskin

♬ Sin city – .

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

πŸ‘πŸ‘„πŸ‘ Lol yeah he needs to go to jail for that #comedy

♬ Sin city – yoitzmarc

His light-skinned toddler video was watched over 3.7 million times and received 714,000 likes.

@dez2fly

πŸ‘πŸ‘„πŸ‘ Somebody come get they kid #lightskin #dez2fly #viral

♬ Sin city – yoitzmarc

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 πŸ€£πŸ€£πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ #fyp #lightskin #foryoupage #tiktoker #tiktok #blacklivesmatter #beingreal #lmao #happy

♬ Sin city – yoitzmarc

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

♬ Sin city – yoitzmarc

Other takes on the trend:

@brynnewiilliams

somebody take this app away from me #lightskin #sexyoverload #caution #supersexy #toosexy #emotional #ahaaaaaa #withoutme? #fyp

♬ Sin City SIIIIKKKKEEE – dontadadon

@namirwebber3

Harambe cousin looking diffrent😳 (repost)

♬ Sin city – yoitzmarc

@dreamchaserjayy

Should I do more of these 😭 got some more heat for y’all later #fyp#foryou#foryoupage #trending#viral#comedy#relatable #4u#xyzbca

♬ Sin city – yoitzmarc