Analysis Of Internalized Racism In America

“Never underestimate internalized racism. People can be oppressed, yet continue to express their oppression in their own choices.”- Susan Morris

Hispanic girls dying their hair blonde. Is it a fashion statement or is there a meaning behind it? In a society where racial prejudice booms in politics, communities, and popular culture, it is difficult for racial minorities to avoid absorbing the racist messages that constantly bombard them. Internalized Racism does exist, if not, what would it be called for people that dislike their ethnicity? This type of racism are minority groups that loathe the physical characteristics that make them racially distinct such as skin color, hair texture or eye shape and buy into the belief that whites are superior

Internalized racism will explore the reasons why some minority groups do not like their ethnicity;

Internalized racism has hit the individual level where half of all Hispanics consider themselves as white. One Mexican American asserted that he felt “shame and sexual inferiority…because of my dark complexion.” He also described himself with “disgust” loathing his appearance when he sees himself in the mirror. Stereotypes play a huge role in the Latino culture in the U.S where often the usual stereotype is that Latinos are job-stealers, uneducated, poor and illegal. “Envidia” or jealousy sabotages the Latino community because Latinos begin to question the qualifications of other successful Latinos. No one has the positive thought that Latinos can achieve and triumph in any field; they just can’t believe that. Latinos just stamp other Latinos with those stereotypes Americans say. Because of internalized racism, Latinos and Hispanics distance themselves from the Spanish language to support the English only movement. They are embarrassed of their inherited language and rather choose English to complete assimilation. “Almost 40% of Latino/a respondents prefer English as their dominant language…” (Padilla 20). Where I currently live, I always see on the day to day basis Hispanics and Latinos that immigrated to the United States from other countries sounding “white.” I speak to Hispanics; even Latinos in Spanish and they respond