Final answer:
The two opposing forces related to skin color are colorism and discrimination. Colorism involves beliefs about the superiority of certain skin tones within a racial group, while discrimination can be based on race or ethnicity, often manifesting in unfair treatment based on skin color and other racial traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two opposing forces that have to do with skin color are colorism and discrimination. Colorism is the belief that one type of skin tone is superior or inferior to another within a racial group and is a form of prejudice focused specifically on the shade of a person's skin within their own ethnic group. Discrimination extends beyond color and can be based upon various factors such as age, religion, health, but in the context of skin color, it often refers to unjust treatment of individuals based on racial or ethnic differences, which may include skin color among other traits.
One theory to explain why these biases exist is conflict theory, a sociological perspective that views society as a competition for limited resources, where people may face different challenges based on their skin tone. This is particularly evident when considering different racial and ethnic groups' social status, socioeconomic opportunities, and perceived societal value, which often correlate with skin color.
The idea of institutional racism also falls within this context, as it acknowledges that racism can be embedded within social institutions, perpetuating inequalities based on race and ethnicity, which invariably includes skin color.