Infosec.Pub

"The brown paper bag test" is a term in Black oral history used to describe a colorist discriminatory practice within the Black community in the 20th century, in which an individual's skin tone is compared to the color of a brown paper bag. The test was used to determine what privileges an individual could have; only those with a skin color that matched or was lighter than a brown paper bag were allowed admission or membership privileges. The test was believed by many to be used in the 20th century by many Black-American social institutions such as sororities, fraternities, and social clubs.[1]

"The brown paper bag test" is a term in Black oral history used to describe a colorist discriminatory practice within the Black community in the 20th century, in which an individual's skin tone is compared to the color of a brown paper bag. The test was used to determine what privileges an individual could have; only those with a skin color that matched or was lighter than a brown paper bag were allowed admission or membership privileges. The test was believed by many to be used in the 20th century by many Black-American social institutions such as sororities, fraternities, and social clubs.[1]

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The original was posted on /r/todayilearned by /u/EternalSnow05 on 2025-08-09 13:55:38+00:00.

Original Title: TIL that the brown paper bag test is a term in the African American community to discriminate against darker skinned black people by comparing their skin tone to a brown paper bag. Many were barred from having access to resources and public spaces because of it.