Skin Colour Symbolism in Multi-Ethnic Societies : A Comparison
of the Sri Lankan and Czech Republic Experiences of Whiteness
Craze

D 2017

Skin Colour Symbolism in Multi-Ethnic Societies : A Comparison of the Sri Lankan and Czech Republic Experiences of Whiteness Craze

KAŠPAROVÁ, Irena

Basic information

Original name

Skin Colour Symbolism in Multi-Ethnic Societies : A Comparison of the Sri Lankan and Czech Republic Experiences of Whiteness Craze

Authors

KAŠPAROVÁ, Irena (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution)

Edition

1. vyd. Matara (Sri Lanka), AVENUES: Papers on Peace, Reconciliation and Development Challenges : Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences, p. 67-79, 13 pp. 2017

Publisher

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Stať ve sborníku

Field of Study

50404 Antropology, ethnology

Country of publisher

Sri Lanka

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Publication form

printed version "print"

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14230/17:00097648

Organization unit

Faculty of Social Studies

ISBN

978-955-1507-54-1

Keywords in English

caste; discrimination; power; race; racism; whiteness

Abstract

V originále

This paper looks into the issue of whiteness among the two minorities in the populations of Czech Republic and Sri Lanka respectively, namely the Roma and the Burghers. Despite the scientific abandonment of the concept of race, being revoked visually through the complexion or the color of the skin as well as applied socially as an intrinsic part of division of power, the author argues it is still very much present in everyday society and it is experienced by all the citizens of the two countries that the race and skin color function as two factors of prestige. Various definitions of whiteness are employed and manipulated by the two minorities while interacting with the two majorities they are socially integrated into. The paper explores their variations, similarities, techniques, ideologies and power relations that facilitate them in their moves in society. Negotiation of whiteness among the two particular minorities is placed within larger national contexts, bringing the issues of skin color at the center of attention to both Czech and Sri Lankan societies as a whole. The research method of ethnography is employed, calling upon data extracted from long term observations, in-depth interviews and secondary data analysis. The author takes a constructivist stand point. The paper on the whole is framed within current social science theories of race, racism, whiteness and power.

Files attached

Kasparova_Skincoloursymblism.pdf

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Citovat

KAŠPAROVÁ, Irena. Skin Colour Symbolism in Multi-Ethnic Societies : A Comparison of the Sri Lankan and Czech Republic Experiences of Whiteness Craze. In Upali Pannilage, EA Gamini Fonseka, P.K.M. Dissanayake. AVENUES: Papers on Peace, Reconciliation and Development Challenges : Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences. 1st ed. Matara (Sri Lanka): Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna, 2017, p. 67-79. ISBN 978-955-1507-54-1.

@inproceedings{1390255,
   author = {Kašparová, Irena},
   address = {Matara (Sri Lanka)},
   booktitle = {AVENUES: Papers on Peace, Reconciliation and Development Challenges : Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences},
   edition = {1},
   editor = {Upali Pannilage, EA Gamini Fonseka, P.K.M. Dissanayake},
   keywords = {caste; discrimination; power; race; racism; whiteness},
   howpublished = {tištěná verze "print"},
   language = {eng},
   location = {Matara (Sri Lanka)},
   isbn = {978-955-1507-54-1},
   pages = {67-79},
   publisher = {Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna},
   title = {Skin Colour Symbolism in Multi-Ethnic Societies : A Comparison of the Sri Lankan and Czech Republic Experiences of Whiteness Craze},
   year = {2017}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 1390255
AU  - Kašparová, Irena
PY  - 2017
TI  - Skin Colour Symbolism in Multi-Ethnic Societies : A Comparison of the Sri Lankan and Czech Republic Experiences of Whiteness Craze
PB  - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna
CY  - Matara (Sri Lanka)
SN  - 9789551507541
KW  - caste
KW  - discrimination
KW  - power
KW  - race
KW  - racism
KW  - whiteness
N2  - This paper looks into the issue of whiteness among the two minorities in the populations of Czech Republic and Sri Lanka respectively, namely the Roma and the Burghers. Despite the scientific abandonment of the concept of race, being revoked visually through the complexion or the color of the skin as well as applied socially as an intrinsic part of division of power, the author argues it is still very much present in everyday society and it is experienced by all the citizens of the two countries that the race and skin color function as two factors of prestige. Various definitions of whiteness are employed and manipulated by the two minorities while interacting with the two majorities they are socially integrated into. The paper explores their variations, similarities, techniques, ideologies and power relations that facilitate them in their moves in society. Negotiation of whiteness among the two particular minorities is placed within larger national contexts, bringing the issues of skin color at the center of attention to both Czech and Sri Lankan societies as a whole. The research method of ethnography is employed, calling upon data extracted from long term observations, in-depth interviews and secondary data analysis. The author takes a constructivist stand point. The paper on the whole is framed within current social science theories of race, racism, whiteness and power.
ER  -

KAŠPAROVÁ, Irena. Skin Colour Symbolism in Multi-Ethnic Societies : A Comparison of the Sri Lankan and Czech Republic Experiences of Whiteness Craze. In Upali Pannilage, EA Gamini Fonseka, P.K.M. Dissanayake. \textit{AVENUES: Papers on Peace, Reconciliation and Development Challenges : Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences}. 1st ed. Matara (Sri Lanka): Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ruhuna, 2017, p.~67-79. ISBN~978-955-1507-54-1.

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