Abstract
Internalized Oppression: The Psychology of Marginalized Groups provides an in-depth study of internalized oppression and its effects on the psychological well-being of indigenous peoples in the United States as well as members of other racial, sexual, and devalued minority groups. As defined in the book, internalized oppression occurs as a reaction to historical and current systematic marginalization of individuals’ social group. It can also be conceptualized as a set of self-defeating cognitions, attitudes, and behaviors that were developed as persons consistently experience an oppressive environment. As noted by David and Derthick in the introductory chapter, when experiencing internationalized oppression, cultural markers of individuals’ own groups are associated with unpleasantness and inferiority, whereas those of the dominant group are associated with pleasantness and superiority. The volume provides an overview of the various mental health implications of internalized oppression, including automatic negative cognitions and attitudes, lowered self-esteem, higher levels of depression, and the development of shame and guilt.
The current volume is especially notable for its placement of individually experienced repercussions into a historical and cultural framework. This is done not only through sociohistorical contextualization but through the individual voices of the chapter authors as they narrate their own internalizations and their paths towards overcoming that internalization.
Exemplars include discussion of the establishment of reservations and boarding schools as well as outlawing of traditional religious and ceremonial practices noted in Chapter 2 by Gonzalez, Simard, Baker-Demaray, and Iron Eyes as well as the in-depth exploration of colonialization and subsequent oppression of Latin Americans in Chapter 5 by Hipolito-Delgado, Gallegos Payan, and Baca. These two chapters, as well as others in the volume, provide much needed contextual information to those readers who may be unfamiliar with the history of each of the groups.
Of course, this is not to discount the empirical research that is presented in the chapters. In particular, Chapter 2, which describes internalized oppressions experienced by indigenous peoples of North America, provides an excellent example of ways in which personal experience is presented and incorporated into the discussion of empirical psychology. Chapter 6 excels in the review of relevant research on different types of racism in discussing oppression faced by African Americans. Although not all chapters provide as extensive a review of relevant research, no chapter is devoid of a scientific base.
Each chapter also provides examples and strategies for addressing internalized oppression. Some examples are from empirical research findings, whereas others provide details of various programs that have been created, and still other chapters provide future directions. Because internalized oppression is framed as a reflection of historical, systemic processes, the solutions that are posed are often cultural and institutional. For example, Chapter 3 describes a state-wide Elders-in-Training program which was developed to assist individuals in becoming leaders of their communities, enriching native cultures, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Chapter 4 discusses programs that integrate native cultures and incorporate traditional healing and cultural practices into mental health wellness, and Chapter 8 provides an extensive discussion of the different types of awareness regarding sexism. Indeed, many of the programs that are discussed throughout the book include healing and awareness-raising as integral components.
A standardized structure throughout the edited volume renders the entire book easy to read and follow, even for the beginning student of psychology. Both the Forward by Duran and the Introduction by David and Derthick provide guiding background and set up the framework that is used throughout the book. All the chapters include first-person narratives, research background, suggestions for advocacy and change, and stay true to the purpose of the book. This repetition has pros and cons; it does make some parts of the book seem redundant, yet allows individual chapters to work well as stand-alone readings. Overall, the volume provides a balanced perspective that will inform and teach students and practitioners as well as ideas and support for those working to create change.