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Dismantling Racism Resource Book
THE LADDER OF EMPOWERMENT
The Ladder of Empowerment is designed to highlight the impact of internalized
racism on people of color while outlining an approach to empowerment.
Empowerment is not a state but a process. It is a journey that all people of color
must take in order to heal and protect ourselves from the devastating impact of
racism.
The Ladder of Empowerment takes us through various stages in both identity
development and the process of empowerment. It is important to remember that
all of these stages exist at the same time in all people of color. Critical questions
for us to ask are which stage currently dominates our life and in what direction are
we heading. The racist system is always pushing us to stay in the lower stages.
Our job is to find ways to work with the people around us to help ourselves and
others move through the process and become more empowered.
Stages Of Development
1. Not White
The empowerment process begins when a person of color realizes that they are not
white. This usually happens when that person is a child or has just moved to the
U.S.. We begin to understand that we are part of a group and not considered white.
It is in this stage that we realize that all of the racist stereotypes, images, and
prejudices that we are hearing and have heard are about us.
This realization can cause a psychological crisis in people of color. The crisis can
take the following forms:
People of color decide to try to become white. Changing one’s physical features
to look white is a way to deny that they are not white.
People try to be as good as whites. This person uses whites as a model of
humanity. So whatever whites have, they must have. Whatever whites do, they
must do.
This stage can cause depression and confusion.
Some people of color get angry or mad at the realization of racism and that
they are not white. This anger can help catapult people to the next stage.
Dismantling Racism Project 45 Western States Center
