White supremacy has long promoted that tan/brown/dark skin represents hypersexuality.
These beliefs are evident through the typical stereotype of people of color being sexual beings.
Some examples include:
The “spicy” Latine/x lover stereotype
This stereotype promotes the idea that latine/x people, specifically those of indigenous descent, have agitated tempers that support a seductive personality.
The Jezebel stereotype for Black women
This stereotype characterizes Black women as “impure,” tempestuous seductresses whose main goals are to prey among white men.
The Mandingo stereotype for Black men
This stereotype paints Black men as sexual aggressors, usually towards white women. This comes from objectifying assumptions regarding Black men’s bodies, specifically their genitals.
The ideas are often perpetuated and exemplified by white people.
Most commonly seen in visual media, white people will often sport tanned skin to portray a more sexual or sensual image.
This also goes along with people accentuating their pale complexions to emphasize a level of innocence.
White music artists will usually have exaggerated tanned skin in their videos for songs about sex. People of color accompany them, using brown skin as an accessory for aesthetic purposes.
These stereotypes falsely reinforce the idea that tan skin must equate to hyper-sexuality and whiteness represents innocence.
