Practitioners need to be aware of the intergenerational transmission of historical trauma in families with young children. One legacy of historical trauma, "colorism"--valuing light skin over dark skin--occurs among many oppressed indigenous, ethnic, racial, and cultural groups around the world. The unconscious hierarchy and privilege associated with skin color may interact with other stressors and traumatic events resulting in the acceptance or rejection of children by parents. A clinical case explores the compounding impact of colorism with present-day traumatic stressors in the parent--child relationship of a Salvadoran dyad where the mother is a survivor of political trauma. The authors then present research, personal, and professional experiences of colorism within families and systems of care and discuss recommendations for therapists.