Category: Member Journalism

By Sam Padayachee
Social Activist & Proud UNE Member

Featurism is a form of discrimination that operates subtly but very powerfully in society. It refers to the practice of judging people based on how closely their physical features align with European or Eurocentric beauty standards. While the concept may be unfamiliar to some, its effects are deeply felt by those from racialized communities, shaping how they are perceived, treated, and evaluated in various aspects of life.

To fully grasp featurism, it’s important to understand that it is not just about race, but about specific physical characteristics within various racial groups that are either appreciated or diminished. These traits include skin tone, hair texture, eye shape, nose size, and lip fullness, among others. Featurism occurs when features that are typically associated with European ancestry such as lighter skin, straighter hair, smaller noses, and thinner lips are considered more attractive or more acceptable than features that vary from these standards.

Eurocentric beauty standards have been shaped by centuries of colonialism and cultural domination, where European traits have been idealized as the standard of attractiveness and desirability. These standards have been reinforced through media, advertising, and entertainment, thus making them seem “normal.” For many people who are not racialized, these beauty norms or standards may go unnoticed because they reflect their own appearance or the images they are used to seeing.

However, for racialized individuals, particularly those of African, Asian, Indigenous, or Latin descent, these standards can be harmful and makes one feel isolated, especially if one lives in a Eurocentric country. Featurism also plays into a broader system of racial discrimination, where people with features that are farther from the Eurocentric ideal may experience bias, exclusion, or negative judgment.

Racialized individuals, especially women, are often pressured to alter their appearance to fit Eurocentric standards. This may mean straightening naturally curly hair, lightening their skin, or undergoing cosmetic procedures to alter facial features. These pressures are not just about aesthetics, they are tied to how society assigns value and opportunity. For instance, individuals with “acceptable” features may be seen as more beautiful, intelligent, or successful, while those with non-Eurocentric features may be viewed as less attractive, less capable, or even “unprofessional.”

Featurism often influences how people are treated in professional settings. A person with straighter hair or lighter skin might be perceived as more “presentable” or “trustworthy,” while someone with coarser hair or darker skin might be considered “too ethnic.” This, very often, can lead to inequalities in hiring, promotions, and workplace dynamics, where people with Eurocentric features are favored, either consciously or thoughtlessly.

Media and entertainment are powerful in shaping our perceptions of beauty. When racialized people are represented, those with more Eurocentric features tend to be cast in more desirable roles, reinforcing a narrow vision of attractiveness. In contrast, individuals with non-Eurocentric features are often sidelined or cast in stereotypical roles, further marginalizing their representation and reinforcing harmful standards.

Growing up in a world that privileges Eurocentric features can severely impact the self-esteem of racialized individuals. For children and adolescents of color, being constantly exposed to images and messages that suggest that their natural features are “less than”, would lead to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and even self-hatred. Over time, this affects their mental health and one’s sense of belonging.

Non-racialized people need to recognize that featurism begins with understanding that beauty standards are socially constructed. What has been normalized as “beautiful” is deeply tied to power dynamics, where certain traits are valued over others for reasons that have more to do with historical dominance than any measure of beauty.

To challenge featurism, we must recognize that beauty comes in all forms. Celebrate diversity in appearance and reject narrow beauty standards that elevate Eurocentric features. We all have unconscious biases, and these can affect how we perceive others. Reflect on how you may be favoring certain features over others and work to challenge those biases. This could involve small changes in how you interact with people at work, in social settings, or even how you compliment or comment on people’s appearance. Pay attention to the lived experiences of racialized people who speak out about featurism. Listen without defensiveness and use your awareness to help challenge discriminatory practices, whether it’s in your workplace, community, or personal relationships.

Featurism may not be as widely discussed as racism, but it is an equally damaging form of discrimination. By understanding it and its impact on racialized people, we can begin to dismantle the harmful beauty standards that perpetuate inequality. For non-racialized individuals, this means actively questioning societal norms and supporting efforts to create a world where all features are valued, not just those that align with a Eurocentric ideal.

In a truly inclusive society, beauty should not be defined by a narrow set of standards but by the rich diversity that exists in human appearance. By embracing this diversity, we can create a more equitable and compassionate world for everyone.

By June Dale

“What’s it like to live with invisible disabilities?”
“You look tired, didn’t you get enough sleep last night?”
“Haven’t you finished reading that yet? Come on, keep up! I haven’t got all day.”
“You can’t open the jar, here, give it to me.”

Some days are better than others. I can move about freely and with a minimum amount of pain, while others face anxiety or depression.

Standing for what I would consider a long period of time causes my leg to become numb, then painful, then the swelling begins. How I would love to go to an outdoor concert and stand with the crowd to enjoy the music. Spending time in big crowds causes some individuals an increase in anxiety. They would love to go to that party on Saturday night. Instead they will spend another Saturday night at home. People look at me as though everything is fine, when in fact I am in physical pain.

Then, of course, there is the medication. Too many for my liking, but that is what I need sometimes to get through the day. If I forget to take them at the right time, the repercussions are interesting. My face starts to hurt. My vision becomes blurry. My thought processes become foggy. I always have a dosage ready, stored in my bag or my desk drawer.

Some people “look” like the rest of the population. No one would ever know that the individual has a disability because it it’s invisible. The individual may have a hard time reading or performing simple calculations and tasks for daily living. Tasks such as typing or writing a document could be a painful and exhausting experience. It may be that the individual is straining to hear the conversation around them, or the voices are so loud it hurts to listen to others.

In this day and age of adaptive technology, many can function in a world where the majority can do daily tasks. However, some places do not have this technology and those who experience invisible disabilities struggle in their own way, day-to-day.

I once read a story about spoons. It is called the Spoon Theory. It resonated with me.
Today is a good day for me. My wish is that you have a good day as well.

June Dale is the Union of National Employees Human Rights Representative for the National Capital Region – Treasury Board.