While racism can hurt people in obvious ways, it can also hurt people in less obvious ways: in their hearts. This is where the idea of “internalized racism” comes in handy. Internalized racism is what researchers call it when people from a racial group that has been previously pushed to the edges of society start to believe some of the negative messages, stereotypes, and assumptions that society spreads about that group. For example, James and colleagues (2025) say that internalized racism is when someone believes, acts, or has stereotypes that support the idea that the dominant racial group is better than their own racial group.
Simply put, if people tell you something negative about yourself enough times, you might start to believe it. If the voice from the outside turns into the voice from the inside, being racist inside means that oppression doesn’t have to come from the oppressor’s voice alone. When Black people hear negative messages about being Black, they can change how they see themselves and each other, what they think they can accomplish, and even what they think is beautiful, smart, professional, or worthy.
Consider all the information people get over the course of their lives.
• Who is usually shown to be successful?
• Who is shown to be dangerous?
• Which way of talking is thought to be “proper”?
• What kind of hair does a “professional” wear?
• Which skin tones are most often thought of as beautiful?
• Who is thought to be smart before they even speak?
• Who needs to show that they belong?
It’s not necessary to say these things out loud for them to have an effect. They can be talked about on TV, in movies, in ads, on social media, in schools, at work, in institutions, and in everyday conversations. It can be hard to separate repeated messages from your own views over time.
More Than Low Self-Esteem
Having low self-esteem is not the same thing as having internalized racism. There is a direct link between it and race and the racial messages a person has heard from others. For example, a Black person might consciously reject racist ideas but still believe some stereotypes about other Black people without realizing it. Some people might think that certain hairstyles are less professional, that a certain way of speaking makes someone less smart, or that lighter skin is more attractive. Some people may even feel like they need to stay away from things that society has labeled as “too Black.” Such behavior is one reason why it can be hard to spot latent racism. It doesn’t always say that it is racist. It sounds like personal choice sometimes. There are times when it sounds like sense. It sounds like “That’s how the world works” some of the time. It sounds like our own voice sometimes.
The Risk of Looking at Yourself Through Someone Else’s Eyes
W. E. B. Du Bois gave us a powerful way to consider this battle more than one hundred years ago. Du Bois wrote about “double consciousness” in “The Souls of Black Folk” (1903). This is the feeling of seeing yourself through your own eyes as well as the eyes of a society that has historically seen Black people through prejudice and stereotypes. Imagine carrying around two mirrors all the time. One shows what you think of yourself. The other shows what people think you are. When the second mirror becomes stronger than the first, that’s when things get dangerous.
When people keep looking at themselves through the eyes of those who don’t value them, others' opinions can start to change how they feel about who they are on the inside. “How does society see me?” is no longer the only question. “Is society right about me?” can become stuck in your head. That question is much more dangerous.
Racism that we feel inside can change how we see each other
This conversation has another important part. Internalized racism doesn’t just change how people see themselves. It can also change how they feel about other people of the same race. People in general have negative ideas about Black people, and sometimes these ideas are repeated and strengthened in Black groups. We can judge what another Black person says. Hair. Color of skin. Neighborhood. Learn more. Clothes. A job. Name. Thoughts on politics. Or even how that person chooses to show they are Black. We might not even be aware that we are measuring each other by standards set by a racial order. One of the worst things about internalized racism is that people who have been oppressed can unintentionally support some of the same ideas that were used against them.
How It Changes What We Think Is Possible
One of the biggest risks may be having high hopes. When people hear over and over that people who look like them are less smart, less capable, more dangerous, less skilled, or less likely to succeed, what happens? Those words can change what people think is possible. If a child doesn’t see many people of color in movies or TV shows as scientists, professors, doctors, business leaders, writers, or intellectuals, they might start to think that only certain types of people should be in those roles. People’s internalized messages can affect the jobs they apply for, the chances they think they earn, how they respond to authority, how they judge other Black people, and whether they think some places are “for people like us.” That’s why representation is important, but it’s not enough on its own. We also need to look at the beliefs underlying the pictures.
Realizing that internalized racism is not about blaming others
It’s not fair to use conversations about internalized racism as an excuse to blame Black people for the effects of racism. In fact, the opposite. When people grow up surrounded by racial stereotypes and hierarchies, it’s not surprising that some of those messages stick with them. What we do once we see them is the more important question. We can question the ideas we were taught. Instead of repeating stereotypes, we can fight them. We can talk about the reasons why we consider some traits more attractive, professional, smart, or acceptable than others. We can show kids more examples of Black people who are successful, beautiful, smart, good at leading, creative, and kind. The most important thing is that we can learn to distinguish between who we really are and what culture says we are.
Which Mirror Should We Trust?
Internalized racism is a particularly striking example of how powerful messages can be. Words are strong. Pictures can be strong. The things we expect have power. Having a voice has power. Again and again, it has power. If people in a society hear racist messages over and over again, those messages can become part of how people see themselves and each other. That’s why changing laws and policies isn’t enough to fight racism, even though they are crucial. It’s also important to question the beliefs, standards of worth, assumptions, and stereotypes that racial injustice leaves behind. More than 100 years ago, Du Bois helped us understand how difficult it is to see ourselves through others' eyes. The idea is still incredibly important today. The challenge could be learning to tell when we are looking in the wrong mirror. Then we need to have the guts to take down that mirror. People who refuse to let a society based on racial order decide our value, identity, potential, or worth are one of the most powerful ways to fight racism.
References
Du Bois, W. E. B. (1903). The souls of Black folk: Essays and sketches. A. C. McClurg & Co.
James, D., Yu, E. C., Wang, Y., & Moeyaert, M. (2025). Internalized racism and personal self-esteem among ethnoracial minoritized groups: A meta-analytic review. Psychological bulletin, 151(12), 1448–1485. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000508
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