Title
Understanding Internalized Oppression: A Theoretical Conceptualization of Internalized Subordination
Date of Award
9-2012
Document type
dissertation
Access Type
Open Access Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Degree Program
Education (also CAGS)
First Advisor
Barbara Love
Second Advisor
Maurianne Adams
Third Advisor
Todd Crosset
Subject Categories
Education
Abstract
Internalized oppression is one of the conceptual foundations of social justice education. Though the literature on internalized oppression is rich with descriptive data, little theory has been developed in this area. To date, the field of Social Justice Education has been limited by this oversight. Drawing upon the work of theorists who have examined this topic across a variety of social identities, this study presents a generalizable framework for understanding and analyzing internalized oppression. More specifically, this research focuses on the internalized oppression of subordinant groups, also known as internalized subordination. The framework presented within this study identifies internalized oppression as having three core components or "defining elements": process, state, and action. It is intended to be used as a foundation and starting point for, rather than in lieu of, the examination of the internalized oppression specific to particular social identities. Further, this framework is intended to benefit both scholars and practitioners of social justice and will aide in the development of methodologies and pedagogies aimed at interrupting internalized oppression and promoting liberatory consciousness.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/3527678
Recommended Citation
Williams, Teeomm K., "Understanding Internalized Oppression: A Theoretical Conceptualization of Internalized Subordination" (2012). Open Access Dissertations. 627.
https://doi.org/10.7275/3527678
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/open_access_dissertations/627