Internalized Racism in the United States - Essay Example

? Sociological Discussion: Internalized Racism Due Introduction The United s is probably the most diversified country in the world, in fact, it was built on diversity. However despite the welcoming words engraved at the Statue of Liberty, the huddled masses of immigrants that have and still today come to this country find the experience here, sometimes, less then warming. The differences that inevitably come with diversity have and continue to breed distrust, disdain, or downright hatred of others and each other. As much as many people would like to believe that racism is no longer a concern in this modern age, it does very much remains a serious issues that sociologists, psychologists, and a multitude of other disciplines eagerly want to understand and eliminate it. Not only dies racism still exist in any number of ways it is a particular type of racism that is worthy of continued consideration and discussion. Internalized racism, essentially, is a negative by-product of racism, causing members of a racial group to hate their own race and, even, themselves; all in hopes of acceptance from another, likely, dominant race (Pyke 563). Internalized racism is very real and damaging to an individual’s identities, therefore damaging to society as a whole. History In the United States we have come a long way from the cruelty of slavery and the years of segregation. We have seen measures taken to secure equality among all citizens in the country. We have seen the election of the first African American President, regardless of whether you agree with his politics or share his political party, it says a great deal from a racial perspective of how far we have come. But, this does not negate the element of racism that does still exist today and guarantees there is still a great deal of work to be done. Despite what many people may think racism is not another term for “white” people, nor did “white” people create racism. Racism very likely has existed since the beginning of civilization; it exists when any one race, those with similar physical features, genetic similarity, and ethnic markers who share ideologies, traditions, an culture hold dominance and is, believed, to be superior over another or others (Schaefer 7). This can happen under any diversified conditions. Internalized racism, however, is a phenomenon that many people may not be familiar with and they may not even realize that they are personally suffering from its effects. Discussion Internalized racism appears in several different ways. In some cases we see it in the way a racial group will verbally attack other members of the same racial group, claiming that the others are “race traitors;” accusing them of being “sell outs” to the dominant race. This is seen quite often among African Americans. When African Americans live in affluent suburbs, work “suit and tie” careers, and achieve higher education degrees they are called “Uncle Tom’s “ and “white-washed” (Nittle). The individuals who are so critical likely suffer from embracing the negative stereotypes they have been assigned. African Americans are supposed to live in the “hood” because that is where they belong. Anyone who of this racial group who tries to live differently are stepping out of their appropriate place. Many of these now “white-washed” individuals disagree. African Americans who achieve success beyond the “hood” believe that their race is not limited by those stereotypes. However, that is not always the case. There are instances when the individuals who receive the criticism from there racial group do, under certain circumstances, suffer from internalized racism. Sometimes these individuals will completely assimilate an abandon any connection and association with their racial group, indentifying instead with the dominant racial group. This occurs, so experts say, because those individuals have, also, accepted that negative social stereotypes are true and therefore opt to separate themselves from being identified with those negative attributes or traits. However, there is another aspect to internalized racism that is quite disturbing. Individuals of “minority” groups are actually altering their appearance in order to appear more similar to the dominant racial group. African Americans are bleaching or using lightening creams on their skin in order to be less dark. Many Asian immigrants or Asian Americans are having surgery to create eyelid creasing that is atypical among their racial group in order to have eyes that appear more Caucasian (Pyke 554). This is the kind of self-hatred that many feel is an incredibly detrimental side-effect of racism. These individuals believe that their race is, in fact, in some way inferior to the dominant racial group, which, in this case are, Caucasians. When they look into the mirror the genetic and physical characteristics that are predominant in their racial group are, also, inferior and, therefore, unattractive and undesirable. “White” people, as stated previously, did not create racism, but, unfortunately, they have contributed to its continuation in this country, even without, always, realizing it (Lewis 1-2). Most people, Caucasians people included, do not want to think that they are in any way racist, yet any time you make a blanket statement about any specific racial group it is, in fact, racism; even when comes in the form of what, almost, sounds complimentary, like assuming that all people of Asian descent are intrinsically exceptional at mathematics. These are still racist assumptions because people of any given ethnic group have the potential to be as uniquely diverse as the members of your own racial group. Racism, as well as, internalized racism, is present in so many aspects of American life today. We see it in our schools. In a number of schools, where the Asian population of students is larger than average, there is a distinct separation between those immigrants who have lived here for some time or those Asian American students born here and those Asian student who are described as FOB, or “Fresh off the Boat,” The Americanized Asian students do not want to be grouped with the immigrants, fearful of receiving the same negative attention that these immigrants may receive (Pyke 558). We, also, see it in our politics, when those African American and Latin/Hispanic Americans openly shared that they did not support Obama or his political intentions these individuals were openly criticized as trying to be white and are traitors to their races for ever voting against a man of color. It is these attackers that suffer from the internalized racism, they believe that the only people who vote for a candidate of a minority group can only win if all the of minorities vote for them, otherwise, “white people” will prevent that person from getting into office. These politicians are now considered “race traitors” within in their own racial groups. Obama’s race, very likely, had very little to do with these politicians choices, but all the same they were attacked by members of their own ethnic groups. So many examples of internalized racism is becoming more and more prevalent, yet it remains tremendously under-researched (Pyke 559) With so much internalized racism among different racial groups one can only imagine what internalized racism can do to children of mixed races. Bi-racial and multi-racial children often have a difficult time finding where they fit in and often face stigmas and outright racism, form multiple racial groups. They are not fair enough to be considered white and not darkly pigmented enough to be considered black, brown, or yellow. This is seriously damaging and can cause severe psychological issues for the recipients (Pyke 559). These individuals may, ultimately, choose to indentify with only one racial group and develop disdain for another. Despite popular belief it is not just members of minority groups or non-dominant racial groups that can suffer from the effects of internalized racism. Members of the dominant group, also, have stereotypes that are unfair and, on occasion, offensive. In the United States there are a large number of white Americans who, after years of being called oppressors and racists, have developed hatred towards being while and they may dress, talk, and act in ways that they feel will make them appear less “white” physically and culturally. Issues/Solutions Racism still exists. Internalized racism is a serious concern. However, finding solutions to the issues involving internalized racism is no easy task. Forced assimilation is unethical and we see how well such efforts worked out when it was attempted among the Native American tribes. “Color-blindness,” which is another means by which we try to avoid mentioning or noticing race at all, is the solution for a lot of Americans today. However, ignoring color all together creates ethical issues as well. This does not acknowledge differences it, simply, pretends that they do not exist. That sounds a great deal more about avoiding the issue than actually addressing it. Pluralism is, probably, an idealized concept of a country of diversity, with genuine equality, where no single racial, ethnic, cultural, or religious groups hold the dominant sway.(Shaefer 25) However, it is further research that is most needed, in order to understand how to eliminate the stereotypes and hatred of others, as well as, preventing members of any racial group from, ultimately, hating themselves inside or out. Research and education is the only way to find solutions to issues that affect so many today (Pyke 559) As for the individuals who suffer from internalized racism, the participation in formalized group activities or counseling, where they can share their feelings, interact with others who are struggling as they are, and directly challenge these false and negative stereotypes they have taken to heart is tremendously beneficial ("Internalized Racism"). Conclusion The United States is a country of diversity and has, historically, shown that diversity can be beneficial. It is too easy today to turn on our own citizens be they white, black, brown, yellow, red, or, even, aqua-marine. The ultimate goals is to find a means to embrace the beauty of all races, all ethnicities, all cultures, and all religions as a part of this country equally, without allowing those differences to become a means of determining any sort of superiority or dominance. So that every individual never has to look into a mirror and wish that their skin was a different shade, their features were more similar to another race, or that they were born into a different, “better,” racial group ever again. This can lead to a more peaceful, productive, constructive, and unified society (Shaefer 28-30) References Lewis , Amanda E. ""What Group?" Studying Whites and Whiteness in the Era of "Color-Blindness." Sociological Theory. 22.4 (2004): 623-648. Print. . Pyke , Karen D. Sociological Perspective. 53.4 (2010): 551-572. Web. 11 Jun. 2013. . Nittle, Nadra Kareem. "What Is Internalized Racism? ." Race Relations. About.com, 1 Feb 2010. Web. 11 Jun 2013. . Schaefer, Richard T. Racial and Ethnic Groups. 12. Upper Saddle Road: Pearson, 2010. 1-30. Print. "Internalized Racism." United to End Racism. The International Re-evaluation Counseling Communities, n.d. Web. 11 Jun 2013. . Read More