Embracing
our
Chocolately
Selves
Internalized Racism
Internalized racism is racist attitudes and/or beliefs directed towards oneself .Just to name a few examples, this includes colorism, hair texture discrimination, and eye shape. Additionally, it is common for oneself to be in the state of not wanting to be associated with their race.
In the 1940s, psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark designed and conducted a series of experiments known colloquially as “the doll tests” to study the psychological effects of segregation on African-American children. The results as exemplified in the video below.he Clarks concluded that “prejudice, discrimination, and segregation” created a feeling of inferiority among African-American children and damaged their self-esteem.
Where does this come from?
Internalized racism is a backlash of slavery, colonization, oppression of people of color, and systemic racism as a whole.As said in the flim Dark Girls, "If the superior looks a certain way you want yourself to look that way"
Where does this happen?
Internalized racism mainly occurs within people of color; Asians, South Americans, Central Americans, and Africans. Mainly with the people of color in the United States and diaspora. This includes women, men, queer people, and transgender people.
How does Internalization Occur?
According to CU student Elom Amouzou, "Essentially waking up everyday into this world and interacting with it on a day to day basis exemplifies internalized racism". Meaning, through the definitions of beauty protrayed by media, family, friends, and conversation internalized racism is enstilled within us.