Overview
The true focus of revolutionary change is never merely the oppressive situations that we seek to escape, but that piece of the oppressor which is planted deep within each of us.” – Audre Lorde
Key Definitions: Internalized Dominance & Oppression
Internalized Oppression
Results from oppressed groups of people being immersed in negative images of themselves and accepting (either consciously or unconsciously) as “truth” the misinformation, prejudicial perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, symbols, and stereotypes of the dominant group. This causes a vicious downward spiral in which oppressed people play out negative self-fulfilling prophesies about themselves; thus reinforcing even lower levels of expectations” – Beverly R Fletcher, Internalized Oppression: The Enemy Within (1998)
Internalized Domination
The systemic attitudes and actions of prejudice, superiority, and self-righteousness of one group (a non target group) in relation to another (target group). Internalized dominance includes the inability of a group or individual to see privilege as a member of the non-target group. (teachingtolerance.org)
For examples of how internalized oppression and internalized domination influence our beliefs, feelings, self-concept, and behaviors, visit Internalizations from Dismantling Racism. Racism not only impacts us personally, culturally, and institutionally. Racism also operates on us mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. When racism targets us, we internalize that targeting; when racism benefits us, we internalize that privileging. This page investigates how internalized racism operates.
If you have five minutes…
Watch this video by Dee Watts-Jones about internalized racism and shame.
If you have twenty minutes…
Read the article White Spaces by Tobin Miller Shearer The Other Side, March & April 2002
If we would build a beloved community across racial lines, we must confront the ways that racism shapes and wounds not only persons of color, but also those who are white.
If you have an hour…
Watch this video of this plenary address by Daryl Atkinson and Scott Holmes at the 2015 Friends General Conference Gathering. Atkinson’s speech was adapted into an article in Friends Journal: Waking Up in the White Garden by Scott Holmes, October 2015.
It’s still a continual daily effort to uproot the racism in my mind and heart. It is like being an addict. It is like waking up in the white garden every morning and forgetting about the suffering of our racially divided world and and not even noticing what is wrong. It is a deep and fundamental carelessness to the suffering of my brothers and sisters…. This is deeply spiritual work. We’re clearing away parts of our identity. We are holding ourselves in the Light and letting go of all those parts of ourselves that are not truly loving. We’re letting them be pulled away from us, so we can clear them out.
Queries for Conversation
How has internalized oppression or internalized domination impacted your life?
- What are the manifestations of us acting out our beliefs about the messages we’ve internalized?
- What are the consequences of us not examining the messages and challenging them?
- What is the impact of continuing to use those actions and beliefs?
- What are the consequences of not living/speaking your truth (not bringing your authentic self)?