What is Internalised Oppression?

By: Ishita Bahl

Internalised oppression is a concept in which an oppressed group uses the methods of subjugation used by the oppressing group against oneself.

Members of a community that are subjected to systemic oppression over long periods of time may experience internalised oppression and start to believe they are inferior to the group that oppresses them. They many begin to feel that the discrimination they face is acceptable. The misinformation spread about these oppressed groups may begin to feel normal and customary to their members, and they may start to affirm the negative stereotypes against them and their affiliated group, accept the role that is given to them by society, and even turn to self-loathing and self-destructive actions.

Internalised oppression can affect the self-image of the members of these oppressed groups and lead them to believe they are not as capable, worthy, intelligent, or physically good- looking as other groups. Internalised oppression is expressed at both an individual and a group level and can lead to conflict and discrimination within the group. A person may be a part of multiple groups that are oppressed and internalise multiple negative beliefs about themself, such as a woman of colour having both internalised sexist and racist beliefs. 

Internalised oppression has several types:

• Internalised racism occurs when a member of a group that is a target of racism assumes a racist attitude towards their own group.

The manifestation of internalised racism can be seen in instances such as the belief in negative racial stereotypes, adaptations to white cultural standards, and even denying that racism exists. The practice of skin whitening in Africa and Asia is another example of internalised racism wherein dark skin is seen as undesirable. Internalised racism is the impact of colonialism in which a colonised person loses their identity and assumes the values of the colonising society. People who have internalised racism show low levels of self-esteem.

• Internalised homophobia, also known as internalised heterosexism, occurs when an individual with same-sex attraction turns negative stereotypes, beliefs, stigma, and prejudice about homosexuality and LGBTQ+ people inwards, regardless of identifying as a member of the community or not.

The degree to which a person is affected by these ideas depends on how much and which ideas they have consciously and subconsciously internalised. Studies show that people who are homophobic are more likely to have homosexual desires. These negative beliefs can be mitigated with education, life experience, and therapy, especially with queer-friendly psychotherapy. People who have internalised homophobia show high levels of psychological distress and low levels of self-esteem. Internalised homophobia is also associated with guilt and shame and has been linked to increased anxiety, depression, and suicide.

• In internalised sexism, individuals, mostly women, adopt oppressive attitudes towards their gender, which are held by their culture.

Internalised sexism in women manifests in the form of minimising the value of other women, distrusting them, and believing gender bias in favor of men. It is the impact of observing misogynistic beliefs about their gender and the stereotypes associated with it. An example of the manifestation of internalised sexism is slut-shaming. Internalised sexism can have implications such as depression, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and less social support among women.

• Internalised fatphobia occurs when a fat person believes they do not deserve the same treatment as thin people.

A person with internalised fatphobia may think that they are lazy, gluttonous, out of control, or unhealthy. They may believe they are personally responsible for their weight and see their body as unattractive. Self-judgement is a foundation of internalised fatphobia and contributes to body shame and self-hatred.