A theoretical overview of the impact of racism on people of color.

Abstract

among the varied determinants of social structure, race remains an enduring aspect of social categorization within the united states. Yet, as West, Klor de alva, and shorris (1996) remind us, "categories are constructed, scars and bruises are felt with human bodies" (p. 58.). similarly, more than a century ago, du Bois (1906) highlighted the pernicious effect of racial categorization when stating "The negro death rate and sickness are largely matters of social and economic condition, and not due to racial traits and tendencies" (p. 276). Through the words of these scholars and social commentators, we are reminded that racism is a real phenomenon that exacts a high and lasting toll on the health and well-being of its targets. as such, we as researchers and theorists have engaged this discussion of the impact of racism on people of color, with a sense of deep humility and respect, first pausing to acknowledge those who have resisted and sacrificed in the fight against racial oppression

Racial Microaggression, Overt Discrimination, and Distress: (In)Direct Associations with Psychological Adjustment

“…Consistent with the general conceptual framework (Pascoe & Smart Richman, 2009) and according to the acute racism reactions model (Pieterse & Powell, 2016), individuals' responses to racism events may include subjective feelings of distress/stress, fatigue and psychological exhaustion, and increased somatic reactions. To establish a stress process that underlies the relations between psychological adjustment and microaggression, and overt discrimination, research should examine the possible intervening role of psychological distress.…”

“…For minority students, higher education can bring added burden associated with racism and hostile campus climate as individuals make transition to college (Locks, Hurtado, Bowman, & Oseguera, 2008). To the extent that racial minorities experience these disadvantages at disproportionately higher rates than their White counterparts (DHHS, 2001;Dressler, Oths, & Gravlee, 2005;Pieterse & Powell, 2016;Williams & Mohammed, 2009), research needs to focus on racism-related factors and their underlying process that give rise to poor psychological adjustment outcomes (Gilman et al, 2008;González, Tarraf, Whitfield, & Vega, 2010;Riolo, Nguyen, Greden, & King, 2005;Watkins, Assari, & Johnson-Lawrence, 2015).…”

“…Given that exposure to racism is one sociocultural factor that can explain racial disparities in health outcomes, researchers have come up with a number of theories that contextualize the associations between racism experiences and psychological adjustment (Williams & Mohammed, 2009, 2013. A broad conceptual framework postulates that perceived (interpersonal) racism affects mental health outcomes by way of heightened stress responses (Pascoe & Smart Richman, 2009), yet most nonexperimental studies have not explicitly examined how individuals feel and make sense of racism experiences (Pieterse & Powell, 2016).…”

A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship Between Internalized Racial Oppression and Health-Related Outcomes

“…Empirical research on race has consistently suggested that among POC, experiences of racism are associated with adverse health outcomes, especially as it relates to negative mental health outcomes (Lee & Ahn, 2011;Paradies et al, 2015;Pieterse, Todd, Neville, & Carter, 2012). Although the relation between racism and health outcomes has been established in the literature (Pieterse & Powell, 2016), relations to specific aspects of racism, such as internalized racism, have received less empirical attention, and thus remains poorly understood.…”

Black While Leading: Unmasking The Anti-Black Lived Experiences Of Senior-Level Black Men Administrators At Historically White Institutions

“…Society makes limited progress on issues of race because it fails to address the anti-black thinking that provokes negative behaviors. Whiteness is rooted in this anti-black ideology of superiority that has materialized into theology (a firmly held belief) which has manifested into the perpetual practice of inequity against Black people (Peiterse & Powell, 2016). This ideology was likely formalized and promoted following the implementation of the 1638 Maryland Doctrine of Exclusion.…”