(Internalized) Oppression
Jessica Chang, MHC-LP
Skin-whitening products are used by a large proportion of non-European women (David and Derthick, 2013). The use of these products was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a worldwide health concern (WHO, 2011). The WHO focused primarily on physical consequences (e.g., scarring, skin rashes, kidney failure) framed as a high mercury content problem. However, these products were also linked to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Ultimately, policies were enacted to limit the amount of mercury in the products – necessary, but failing to address the psychological ramifications of wanting to appear lighter-skinned, i.e., more white.
Reframing this skin-whitening issue from a “mercury problem” to that of oppression allows systems and institutions, historical and contemporary factors, to be addressed. The health concerns become no longer based on a sole individual’s decision to whiten their skin, but rather a cultural force which brings into question the desire for Westernization.
Oppression
Oppression is both a state and a process. It entails the existence of unequal group access to power and privilege as well as the maintaining of inequality between groups. There are many forms and tactics of oppression, from overt to subtle, and existing interpersonally, between groups, and within groups. Oppression can be established and maintained by force, deprivation, institutional/systemic laws, policies, “normative” practices, etc. Eventually, through consistently, aggressively, and systematically devaluing and dehumanizing the oppressed, the oppressor becomes the model of acceptable humanity (David and Derthick, 2013). In naming non-Western, non-White, non-male, non-heterosexual people, including those with intersecting marginalized identities, as the oppressed, it is important to recognize we collectively make up the majority of our world.
Internalized Oppression
Often, the pervasiveness of oppression leads to the belief of these practices by the oppressed and is internalized. Internalized oppression involves the devaluation and inferiorization of one’s self and one’s group. It may be unconscious and involuntary and can occur at a young age and potentially last a lifetime. No one is born with internalized oppression; it is part of the tactic of oppression, a way oppressors maintain domination over the oppressed. This tactic operates on an individual and group level to uphold power structures that benefit the oppressors. For example, internalized oppression may be a response to facing negative stereotypes and expectations upheld by the dominant, Western, culture.
Microagressions also perpetuate oppression and contribute to internalized oppression. Victims of microagressions may blame themself for being overly sensitive or delusional, questioning the reality and existence of oppression. The lack of a clearly identifiable source of oppression and discrimination leaves one without a distinguishable target to direct their anger, and so this anger is directed inwardly.
Experiencing oppression increasingly raises the denial the individual has about their own reality as an oppressed person i.e., the more racism one experiences, the more they may question the existence of racism, and the more fragmented their experience of themself and the world becomes. This can lead to self-destruction, violence towards self, self-denigration, and various other consequences impacting the individual and expanding from there.
Examples of what internalized oppression may look like
BIPOC disliking their skin color, facial features, hair texture, etc.
Women believing they have limited career options because they were taught they are not capable of certain tasks
LGBTQ+ folk perceiving and believing they are immoral, abnormal, unworthy, due to their sexual orientation or gender identity
Imposter syndrome - doubting one’s own intellect or physical capabilities e.g., feeling unworthy of one’s high-paying job, fear of being “found out”/exposed for who you really are
Colonial mentality - devaluing and objecting the norms and standards of colonized groups while valuing and celebrating the norms and standards of the colonizers
Denying aspects of one’s own cultural identity
Feeling ashamed or embarrassed when seeing members of one’s own cultural group
Increased relationship conflict and decreased relationship quality in same-sex couples
Impacts of Internalized Oppression
Culture
Internalized oppression prevents group members from connecting with one another, additionally causing intragroup conflict and fragmentation. Anger towards systems of oppression often manifests as internalized hatred. This anger is thus redirected towards those who remind the oppressed of themself, becoming a cultural phenomenon which may appear as alcohol and substance use, domestic violence, homicide, sexual assault, and other unhealthy habits and relationships.
Intragroup violence often occurs as members of one’s own group are viewed as inferior and less of a threat than the dominant group. This violence may also extend towards other oppressed groups who are equally, or more, vulnerable (e.g., homophobia and racism within BIPOC communities). Being oppressed and internalizing this oppression is an intergenerational issue, becoming a cultural norm persisting with the sentiment of “that’s just the way we are.”
Internalized oppression leads to the devaluation of one’s own group and rejection of one’s own culture. Oppressed peoples may begin to discriminate against one another and identify with and adopt the culture of the oppressor. This has large consequences on ethnic identity development and acculturative stress, which are linked to adverse mental health consequences.
Self-esteem
Feeling inferior, due to oppressive forces, alters one’s mental schema and frequently results in self-deprecating thoughts and low self-esteem. As this pattern continues, this self-schema is internalized and self-deprecating thoughts become automatic, aiding in the persistence of feeling inferior, as intended by the oppressors. This often results in the additional beliefs of being undesirable and not good enough, which can remain throughout a person’s entire lifetime if left unrecognized and unaddressed.
Low self-esteem has been linked to poor body image and eating disorders and high-risk behaviors along with low regard for life. Examples include high rates of dropping out of school, substance use, unprotected sex resulting in sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies, domestic violence and other violent crimes.
Self-esteem is composed of personal and collective components. Developing a positive collective self and having a positive collective self-esteem is vital for mental health. Evidence shows that acculturation (assimilation to a different culture) with a lack of enculturation (the extent to which one adheres to one’s heritage culture) is associated with a plethora of mental health consequences such as depression and suicide.
Depression
Depression is a major component of being oppressed as well. Along with feelings of inferiority, it is common to feel shame, humiliation, learned helplessness, resignation and powerlessness. It generates a sense of mistrust and criticism regarding institutions and systems of power, and this can be continued through unrealistic expectations for emerging leaders. Constant expectation management and the creation and destruction of visions of liberation can lead to burnout and abandonment of hope. Internalized oppression may lead to the concealment and denial of one’s authentic identities, quelling the development and concept of self. Internalized oppression often keeps individuals from seeking help, increasing the risk for adverse physical, behavioral, and mental health consequences.
Ways to Externalize oppression
As internalized oppression is learned, it can also be unlearned:
Recognize roles of systems, institutions, and other individuals’ biases in discriminatory practices and remove self blame
Hold oppressive systems, individuals, and collectives accountable for these roles
Identify and name emerging feelings associated with internalized oppression
Understand how oppression works and create a mental map of what is within and outside of your control
Build community and be in conversation with those who understand and validate experiences of oppression
Speak with a therapist to help guide you through the layers of thoughts and emotions that may come up with this weighted and layered topic
Sources
David, E.J., and Derthick, A. (2013). Internalized Oppression. In E.J. David (Eds.), 1: What Is Internalized Oppression, and So What? (pp. 1-30). Springer Publishing Company.
Nadal, K. (2022). How to Externalize Oppression. Psychology Today.
Ni, P. (2021). 10 Signs of Internalized Racism and Gaslighting: How does internalized racism occur? Psychology Today.
World Health Organization. 2011. Mercury in skin lightening products. Geneva, Switzerland. AuthorRetrieved from http://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/mercury_flyer.pdf