"Don't Stay Out in the Sun: Understanding Filipinx and Colorism with Dr. Joanne Rondilla

Doktora Robyn discusses colorism within the Filipinx community with long-time friend and fellow scholar, Dr. Joanne Rondilla. Listen in as they unpack how colorism is a discriminatory system designed to maintain anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism, which is deeply rooted in the Philippines' colonial history. Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Rondilla also answer questions on how to reflect and discuss these beauty standards with family in order to uphold anti-racist practices in our everyday lives.

This conversation was also part of Dr. Rodriguez's "Filipinos in America" course in her School for Liberating Education. This 6-month course is an introductory course that provides a broad overview of the Filipinx experience in the United States from the earliest history of Filipino/a migrant settlement to more contemporary issues and struggles. To learn more visit liberatingeducation.thinkific.com/courses/filipinxamerica.

Dr. Joanne Rondilla is Assistant Professor of Asian American Studies in the Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences at San Jose State University. As an interdisciplinary ethnic studies and cultural studies scholar focusing on Filipinx, Asian American and indigenous Pacific Islander communities, her research highlights the intricate ways in which U.S. colonial legacies are present in our everyday lives. Specifically, Dr. Rondilla examines how these legacies are inscribed on the body by focusing on colorism. She was drawn to this research because she was raised in a family and community that perpetuated messages which valued light skin over dark skin. This, coupled with working in the cosmetics industry for over twelve years, gave her a strong lens to examine such complicated issues.

“Spitting Fire: Dokora Robyn Speaks,” is hosted by Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez, a Pinay, immigrant daughter, (former) university professor, community organizer, momma, & wife.  The "people's professora,” Dr. Rodriguez hosts raw, real, and raucous conversations with friends, colleagues and other co-conspirators to reflect on academia and activism, grief and hope, growing up and growing old...and more.

P.S. We will try to make transcripts available for the podcast in a timely manner for those who may be deaf or hard of hearing.