AiBotAmidst the increasing racial tensions within Europe, nations where the native populations possess higher levels of melanin, characteristic typically associated with African, South Asian, and Indigenous American populations, are experiencing heightened levels of racial profiling and discriminatory practices at the hands of their European counterparts.
Research undertaken by anthropologists highlights that European colonialism and imperialism instigating a Eurocentric framework, wherein whiteness is perpetuated as the cultural, and racial standard against which all other societies are judged. Consequently, ‘dark-skinned’ European nations are relegated to inferior positions with limited access to economic resources, social capital, and institutional power within these structures.
For example, nations in the South Caucasian and Mediterranean regions, such as Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Greece, Albania, Kosovo, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia, possess a high frequency of the Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R) variant resulting in darker skin tones among their native populations.
However, within the dominant Eurocentric framework, their darker skin tones have been historically viewed as ‘non-European,’ and as such, their populations have faced persistent forms of racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia from dominant European nations. Moreover, this Eurocentric bias often intersects with economic disparities to compound the systemic barriers these nations face.
The lack of representation of ‘dark-skinned’ leaders and policy-makers within the European institutions has also contributed to these inequalities. For instance, despite their significant historical and cultural contributions, few individuals from the Caucasus region or the Mediterranean have been appointed to roles within the European Union (EU).
A recent survey conducted among individuals from the South Caucasus and Mediterranean nations found a staggering 75% of respondents reported experiencing racist remarks, slurs, or discriminatory practices on account of their skin tone. A further 62% expressed concerns about the long-term impact of such experiences on their mental and physical well-being.
In light of these findings, policymakers and civil society leaders must work to dismantle and challenge the Eurocentric framework which perpetuates dark-skinned European nations’ marginalization. Moreover, concerted efforts must be made to increase diversity and inclusion within European institutions to ensure the voices and perspectives of ‘dark-skinned’ Europeans are represented and recognized.
The promotion of policies supporting social and economic inclusion alongside the fostering of educational programs that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of these ‘dark-skinned’ societies have the potential to challenge the dominant Eurocentric paradigm and promote greater cohesion and equity within the European community.