Oppression is not only enforced from the outside, it can also be mirrored within. Internalized oppression often leads communities themselves to reproduce the very dynamics of exclusion, shaming, and hierarchy that they have historically suffered under. This phenomenon, sometimes called cultural betrayal, is a hidden fracture that can keep marginalized groups divided and disempowered.
The Cycle of Betrayal
Psychologists define cultural betrayal trauma as harm perpetrated by members of one’s own marginalized group, which carries a distinct weight because of the expectation of shared solidarity (Gómez, 2019). When someone from within the community discriminates, dismisses, or undermines others, the pain is magnified, and it feels like a violation of both identity and belonging.
Research shows that marginalized individuals who experience betrayal from within their own community often report greater shame, self-doubt, and isolation than when the harm comes from external sources (Rosenthal et al., 2016). Instead of unity in the face of oppression, divisions deepen.
Why Does It Happen?
Cultural betrayal emerges when the oppressed unconsciously internalize dominant group values and then replicate them within their own circles. This may appear in the form of:
- Colorism within communities of color, privileging lighter skin.
- Classism within immigrant communities, where material success becomes the measure of worth.
- Sexism and misogyny are perpetuated even within movements for racial or cultural justice.
These dynamics are not “natural” to the culture; rather, they are imprints of historical oppression, carried forward through unconscious beliefs, survival strategies, and distorted norms.
The Silent Toll
When betrayal is mirrored within communities, it reinforces the idea that “the problem must be me.” Individuals may withdraw, distrust their peers, or lose confidence in collective organizing. This undermines both personal healing and systemic resistance.
Furthermore, silence often surrounds cultural betrayal. Speaking about harm from within the community may feel like “airing dirty laundry” or betraying the group to outsiders. This silence maintains the cycle of harm and prevents accountability.
Breaking the Cycle
Healing cultural betrayal requires courage and compassion. Steps include:
- Naming It – Bringing hidden dynamics into awareness allows communities to acknowledge their existence without shame.
- Restoring Solidarity – Creating safe spaces for dialogue, validation, and collective reflection fosters repair.
- Unlearning Oppression Together – Communities must actively challenge internalized hierarchies and consciously cultivate equity and respect.
As Audre Lorde reminds us, “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.” True liberation requires not only resisting external oppression but also dismantling its echoes within our own circles.
References
- Gómez, J. M. (2019). Cultural betrayal trauma theory: Trauma, oppression, and healing within marginalized communities. American Psychologist, 74(7), 743–754.
- Rosenthal, L., Earnshaw, V. A., Carroll-Scott, A., Henderson, K. E., Peters, S. M., McCaslin, C., & Ickovics, J. R. (2016). The importance of full inclusion: Impact of community internalized stigma. Journal of Community Psychology, 44(6), 713–729.
- Lorde, A. (1984). Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches. Crossing Press.