Marginalized communities have much to be grateful for, but sometimes, they overlook the positives. An innate human trait is to focus on all the negativity; that can set you back personally and professionally.
Internalized oppression is one way that can set you back. It stems from feelings of inadequacy and occurs when members of a marginalized group internalize the negative beliefs they hear and see around them, often believing them.
For many Black entrepreneurs, a lack of confidence in their own merits is the main problem. If you want to know how internalized oppression can affect your business and set you back professionally, consider four ways it can show up in your life.
You Don’t Feel Good Enough
As an entrepreneur, a great work opportunity can open up before you. Maybe it’s a potential partnership, a promotion, or an invitation to speak about what you do at a large conference. But because of a lack of confidence, fear of the market, or any other issue, you could easily turn down the opportunity.
If you stop and ask yourself the real reason, what would it be? Is it because you feel that you don’t stand up to the challenge? If so, you are not alone. In a survey conducted by Maryville University 70 per cent of Americans have experienced imposter syndrome. Simply put, imposter syndrome means you have an ongoing fear that you are incompetent or can’t replicate past successes.
Surrendering to such feelings is detrimental to your professional development. Never underestimate yourself. To counteract these negative thoughts, consider joining a professional workshop or leaning into the power of positive self-affirmations. These can catapult you forward, allowing you to recognize your innate skills and gifts.
You Remain Silent
Sadly, in many cases, we might inadvertently raise other people up and put others down. Internalized oppression can take many forms. Sometimes, people feel bad about not only their own ideas but also the ideas of others from their own culture.
If the only ideas and voices we see, hear and read come from one dominant culture, then we are blinding ourselves from all the opportunities that could potentially unveil before us. Many Black professionals are afraid to speak out loud; when that happens, they are not only silencing their own voice but that of an entire community. What can you do about that? Do not be afraid to share your thoughts, value different thoughts and ideas from your own culture, and uproot any biases that you feel about yourself or others.
You Pull Others Down
Sometimes, people could purposefully pull others from marginalized communities down when they are up for promotions or advancements. That could stem from your own feelings of inadequacy; after all, when you are down, it might be tempting to put others down. However, do not let that take root in your heart and mind. Imagine, for a second, that the person you are holding back from the promotion or winning is you. How would you feel about that? You wouldn’t like it. Instead, raise others up; in due course, they will raise you up, too, when it’s your turn.
You Ignore Injustice
Speaking up and standing up for others isn’t easy, particularly in an office setting. Out of fear, internalized oppression, or inferiority, you might remain silent. Have you ever wondered if that does you or any other person any good? When you stand up for others in marginalized communities, you, in one way or another, stand up for yourself, too.
Remember, the best source of empowerment comes from your own community. When you stand up for others in the face of injustice, speak up when there is an opportunity to rectify something, and embrace new challenges without hindering yourself, you stand up for yourself and others!
David Messiha | Staff Writer