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As America has squabbled for decades over race, particularly as it pertains to Black Americans, colorism still plays a major part in its society. More interestingly, we learned from our frequent travels to South Africa (SA), that colorism looks very different there than in America. While Black Americans continue to shun the term colored as an outdated derogatory racial slur, it is widely accepted in SA when referring to South African Coloureds who bear striking similarities to them.

On our first trip to SA, we were introduced to and hosted by a South African Coloured family who opened up a new world to us; since before then, Blacks and Whites were the only people groups we knew of in SA. This country is widely known for its egregious Apartheid history of the conflict between Whites and Blacks. However, as this host family shared their culture, history, and perspectives, I discovered their uniqueness and how much many of they identified with Black Americans.

 
In a recent stay with this same family, we learned more about their community and culture. However, when we shared our experience with friends and family in America about this Coloured community, no one I spoke with had any clue about who ‘Coloureds’ were in SA. But in recent years, Black Americas have been traveling more to SA, learning more about and becoming intrigued by South African Coloureds, not to be confused with South African Blacks. Moreover, social media has been buzzing lately with intense conversations about whether or not South African Coloureds are actually 'Black,’ with strong dissension from both sides between Black Americans and South Africans. Meanwhile, South African Coloured celebrities are becoming more known in America (e.g. singer and song writer Tyla, Trevor Noah, rappers Youngsta CPT, and the late rapper AKA, etc.). 

Our Full Feature Documentary provides clarity and answers to many questions relating to the similarities and differences between Black Americans and South African Coloureds, as it explores the nature, history and evolution of colorism in America as compared to that in SA.