Internalized oppression

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In social justice theory, internalized oppression is a recognized understanding in which an oppressed group accepts the methods and incorporates the oppressive message of the oppressing group against their own best interest.^[1] Rosenwasser (2002) defines it as believing, adopting, accepting, and incorporating the negative beliefs provided by the oppressor as the truth.^[2]

It occurs as a part of socialisation in an oppressive environment. Members of marginalized groups assimilate the oppressive view of their own group and consequently affirm negative self-stereotypes. This creates a detrimental impact on their psychosocial well-being and self-systems, causing them to produce and reproduce stress-induced, disadvantageous behavioral responses that lead to the formation of maladaptive habits. As a result, they cultivate and perpetuate an "assaulted sense of self" by not intentionally and deliberately engaging in active responsibility for their own well-being. Furthermore, the absence of proactive engagement as catalysts for change, such as fostering counterspaces and practicing active citizenship, hinders the overall welfare of the collective.^[3][4]

Hussein Bulhan describes internalized oppression as:

"The processes of internalization and objectification that Kojeve explained so well also are relevant to the psychology of oppression. For in prolonged oppression, the oppressed group willy-nilly internalize the oppressor without. They adopt his guidelines and prohibitions, they assimilate his image and his social behaviors, and they become agents of their own oppression. The oppressor without becomes an introppressor-an oppressor within. The well known inferiority complex of the oppressed originates in this process of internalization."^[5][6]

Depending on the form of discrimination, types of internalized oppression include internalized racism, internalized homophobia, internalized sexism, internalized ableism, and auto-antisemitism.^[7]