Anti-Blackness Among Non-Black People of Colour: A Garveyite Perspective on Global Patterns of Oppression
From a Garveyite lens, the history and present-day behavior of non-Black people of color (POC) reveal a global pattern of anti-Blackness, glorification of whiteness, and opportunistic use of Black people and their struggles when it suits their interests. This phenomenon spans North America, Europe, South America, and the African diaspora, rooted in the legacy of colonialism and white supremacy. Marcus Garvey’s teachings on Black self-reliance, Pan-Africanism, and racial pride provide critical insights into the ways in which these dynamics have evolved and persist.
Historical Roots of Anti-Blackness in POC Communities
Colonial Hierarchies and Racial Divides
Colonialism established global racial hierarchies that placed Black people at the bottom. Non-Black POC, while oppressed, were often granted privileges over Black people in exchange for complicity in white supremacy.
1. South Asians in Africa
During British colonial rule, South Asians were brought to East and Southern Africa as indentured labourers and intermediaries in the colonial administration. Positioned above Black Africans, they internalized and perpetuated colonial anti-Black stereotypes, benefiting economically and socially.
Predating European colonialism, the Arab slave trade dehumanized millions of Africans, embedding anti-Blackness in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) cultures. This legacy persisted under European colonial rule, as MENA communities often aligned with whiteness to maintain their status.
3. Latin America’s Caste System
Spanish and Portuguese colonial powers created rigid racial hierarchies, placing lighter-skinned mestizos above Black and Indigenous peoples. Afro-descendants were relegated to the bottom, excluded from political, economic, and social advancement.
4. East Asia’s Encounter with Whiteness
In East Asia, European imperialism introduced the glorification of whiteness and the stigmatization of darker skin. This colorism remains a key factor in anti-Black attitudes within East Asian communities worldwide.
Modern Anti-Blackness Among POC in North America
Economic Exploitation and Social Distancing
Non-Black POC in North America have historically sought proximity to whiteness by distancing themselves from Blackness.
1. Model Minority Myth (Asian Americans)
The model minority stereotype positions Asian Americans as hardworking and law-abiding, contrasting them with anti-Black stereotypes of laziness and criminality. This myth not only erases systemic racism against Asian Americans but also reinforces anti-Blackness by pitting communities of colour against each other.
While Latinos have faced their own struggles against racism, anti-Blackness is deeply ingrained in many Latin American cultures, often carried into the U.S. Afro-Latinos are frequently erased, and lighter-skinned Latinos receive greater societal acceptance. Additionally, many Latino communities participate in cultural appropriation of Black music, fashion, and slang while ignoring systemic anti-Black racism.
3. Arab and South Asian Communities
In North America, Arab and South Asian immigrants often establish businesses in predominantly Black neighborhoods but fail to invest in or support the community. These businesses profit from Black consumers while perpetuating anti-Black stereotypes and refusing to hire Black employees.
Europe’s colonial history directly shaped its current racial hierarchies. Non-Black POC in Europe have long been complicit in anti-Blackness to gain acceptance in predominantly white societies.
1. South Asians in Britain
Post-WWII, South Asian immigrants in Britain often distanced themselves from Black communities to assimilate. Anti-Black prejudices from colonial India were reinforced in Britain, as South Asians sought to align themselves with white society.
2. Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Communities
In France, Italy, and other European countries, MENA immigrants have perpetuated anti-Blackness while facing their own struggles against Islamophobia and xenophobia. This dynamic highlights the complexity of racial hierarchies, as MENA communities simultaneously resist and uphold white supremacy.
3. Eastern Europeans and Anti-Black Stereotypes
In many parts of Europe, Eastern European immigrant communities, despite facing discrimination themselves, have adopted and perpetuated anti-Black stereotypes, particularly in public discourse and employment practices.
Economic Exploitation in the UK
One glaring example is the domination of the Afro-cosmetics industry in Britain by South Asian and Middle Eastern shop owners. These businesses profit from Black women, the primary consumers of Afro hair products, while exhibiting dismissive or disrespectful attitudes toward their clientele. Black entrepreneurs attempting to enter the market face systemic barriers, as non-Black POC control the supply chains.
Anti-Blackness in South America and the Caribbean
Erasure of Afro-Descendants
In countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela, Afro-descendants constitute significant portions of the population yet remain politically and economically marginalized.
1. Colourism and Whitening Policies
Many South American countries implemented “whitening” policies in the 19th and 20th centuries, encouraging European immigration to dilute Black and Indigenous populations. This legacy persists in cultural and media representations that glorify whiteness and exclude Afro-descendants.
2. Appropriation of Black Culture
Samba, capoeira, and other Afro-Brazilian traditions are celebrated globally, yet Afro-Brazilians themselves are often excluded from economic and social opportunities.
In the Caribbean, divisions between Afro-Caribbean and Indo-Caribbean communities have been exacerbated by colonial histories. Indo-Caribbean communities have at times sought to align themselves with whiteness to gain privileges over Afro-Caribbean populations.
The Diaspora: Global Exploitation and Appropriation
1. Co-Opting Black Struggles
In multiracial coalitions, non-Black POC often tokenize Black leaders to gain visibility while sidelining Black-specific issues. Non-Black POC frequently appropriate Black-led movements, such as Black Lives Matter, to amplify their own struggles while failing to address anti-Blackness within their communities.
2. Cultural Appropriation
Black music, dance, and fashion are consumed and commodified by non-Black POC without acknowledgment of their origins or the systemic racism faced by Black creators.
During elections or social movements, non-Black POC often appeal to Black communities for support but fail to reciprocate when Black issues are on the line.
Garveyite Solutions to Anti-Blackness
From a Garveyite perspective, the solution to these dynamics lies in Black self-reliance, economic independence, and Pan-African unity.
Support Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs to counteract the exploitation by non-Black POC. Establish Black-controlled supply chains, particularly in industries like beauty and retail.
2. Reject False Solidarity
Critically evaluate multiracial coalitions and alliances, ensuring that Black interests are not co-opted or sidelined. Demand accountability from non-Black POC for perpetuating anti-Blackness.
Strengthen connections between Black communities globally to resist systemic oppression. Reclaim African identity and culture, rejecting the glorification of whiteness and internalized anti-Blackness.
4. Education and Advocacy
Raise awareness about the history and persistence of anti-Blackness in non-Black POC communities. Promote Garveyite principles of Black pride, self-reliance, and liberation.
Anti-Blackness among non-Black POC, rooted in colonial histories and perpetuated through modern economic, cultural, and social practices, remains a global issue. From North America to Europe, South America, and across the diaspora, non-Black POC have sought to align themselves with whiteness while exploiting Black people when convenient. Marcus Garvey’s vision offers a powerful framework for resisting these dynamics, emphasizing the need for Black self-reliance, unity, and liberation.
“Up, you mighty race, accomplish what you will!” – Marcus Garvey
