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Dismantling Racism                                                                         Resource Book




               Internalized Racist Oppression

               The Impact of Internalized Racist Oppression on our Community


               Internalized Racist Oppression (IRO) is the internalization by people of color of
               the images, stereotypes, prejudices, and myths promoted by the racist system
               about people of color in this coutry.  Our thoughts and feelings about ourselves,

               people of our own racial group, or other people of color are based on the racist
               messages we receive from the broader system.

               For many people of color in our communities, IRO manifests itself as:

                 Self-Doubt

                 Inferiority Complex

                 Self-Hate

                 Powerlessness
                 Hopelessness

                 Apathy

                 Addictive Behavior

                 Abusive and Violent Relationships

                 Conflict between people of color communities


               The Process of Oppression


               When one looks at the history of oppression of people of color in this country,
               though there are many differences, there are also many similarities that people of
               color have faced in the process of oppression.  All of these methods are still being
               used in the continuing process of oppression.

                 Violence and the Threat of Violence

                 Change in Behavior

                 Destruction of Culture

                  Division, Separation, Isolation




               Dismantling Racism Project                            41                                          Western States Center
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