Healing Internalized Racism: The Role of a Within-Group Sanctuary Among People of African Descent

Abstract

This article addresses the role of a “within-group” sanctuary for healing internalized racism among people of African descent. Internalized racism is distinguished from racism, juxtaposing the different experience of whose who are oppressed and those who are privileged br racism. It is suggested that a context cosisting exclusivel of persons of African descent can provided on opticmally safe space for initial stages of healing from internlaized racism. The anxiety that a collective of African descendants can generate amont whites, and subsequently among those of African descent, is examined by raising questions as to its possible meanings. Whites are encouraged to use their privilege to support such self-determined sanctuaries, rather than to obstruct them. People of African descent are encouraged to tolerate the anxiety that can be generated without “changing back,” and to examine whether internalized racism is also implicated.