Internalized Racial Oppression in AAPI Communities

Authors

William Ritter, University of Northern Colorado
Haley O'Nan, University of Northern Colorado
Rachel Hard, University of Northern Colorado

Abstract

Cultural migration can be a difficult experience for anyone. Such change can be met with various feelings, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. Coupled with the added stressor of racism that is so prevalent in our society these feelings can persist, becoming maladaptive leading to psychological distress. Yet systemic racism has become so normalized for groups like Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) that their oppression has even transformed into internalized ideology. Such oppression leads to adverse health effects and causes severe distress in all aspects of life withing the AAPI community. In this literature review we will explain how a lack of acknowledgement and awareness around historical racism towards the AAPI community has led to internalized racism which causes severe mental distress.

Recommended Citation

Ritter, William; O'Nan, Haley; and Hard, Rachel (2024) "Internalized Racial Oppression in AAPI Communities," The Bear Counseling Collective: Vol. 1, Article 5.
Available at: https://digscholarship.unco.edu/bcc/vol1/iss1/5