"Internalized Oppression occurs when members of an oppressed group come to accept and live out the inaccurate myths and stereotypes applied to themselves and others like themselves, by their oppressors. In this process, they succumb to Lateral Violence and become their own worst enemies. Indigenous Peoples attack other Indigenous Peoples, Women attack other Women, Black People attack other Black People, and on and on.
If you have come to believe that you are a second-class citizen, for any reason, this is how you may view and treat others, like yourself. Internalized Oppression and Lateral Violence has destroyed many positive movements! Many good leaders have been betrayed, killed and assassinated by those close to them. This happened to Crazy Horse, Malcolm X, Sitting Bull and many others. Sad, but true!
When we fully understand we are all members of one Human Family, each of us a Sovereignty. Ancient, Imperishable and Everlasting, and the Hurt of One is the Hurt of All, we will transcend the illusion of separateness. Then we will also understand that the Honor of One is the Honor of All!""
