Passing offers a unique view on colorism. In America today it is obvious that those with a fairer skin tone have a better chance of success and progress. Passing shows that it was not much different in the 1920s. Of course there was blatant racist in the 20s, such as Jack Bellew. The movie seemed to cut out his rampant use of the N-word for the most part, but unfortunately that type of behavior seems to be the norm back then. The issue of colorism is, of course, still racism, but it almost seems to be brushed off in Passing due to how normalized it is.

In today’s landscape colorism is much more known and acknowledged. However, being acknowledged does not equate to it being resolved. Looking at the popular stars of today one would be hard pressed to find anyone at the top who is not fair skinned in some manner. This is by design, and we can see a glimpse into what it was like 100 year ago with Passing.

I think the role that Colorism takes in Passing is so interesting. Irene is a black woman presenting as a black woman while Clare is a black woman passing as a white woman. Even Jack, a man who has a vast hatred for black people, cannot tell that she is even “one or two percent colored” (Pg. 68). It feels as though both Irene and Clare with that they had taken the path that each other had taken in life regarding passing. 

Throughout the story Clare talks about wishing she could present as her true self. Towards the end of the story, Irene directly asks Clare what she would do had Jack found out that Clare was indeed a black woman. “I’d Do what I want to do more than anything else right now. I’d come up here to live. Harlem, I mean. Then I’d be able to do as I please, when I please,” (pg. 197). This helps to show that Clare is not living her best life despite what society would have one think. 

In regards to Irene, it seems as though she wishes that she had taken the route Clare had an lived a life passing as a white woman. Her jealousy is evident. She sees how Brian looks at her, how Hugh views her before finding out she was passing, and how Jack greets her versus Felise when they run into each other. The most prominent example of this is Irene’s disapproval of Brian’s teaching her sons about the ugly truth regarding the black existence in the 1920s. It is unfortunate to see that both characters have chosen a path in life that they are uncomfortable and unfulfilled with.

This YouTube video about the Blue Vein Society gives another example of early America colorism. It shows how not only were white people perpetuating anti-black racism in America, but lighter skinned black people as well.