Gaslighting is a psychological trick used to get someone to question their understanding of reality. When a person is gaslighting you, they usually make you seem as if you are crazy for believing in what you believe or for having a certain perspective.
That can also be the case when it comes to race, whereby people invalidate, deny, or manipulate your experiences, emotions, or perceptions about racism and racial injustices related to your race. This is according to the Wove Therapy (WT) publication.
The publication states that there are different ways in which racial gaslighting can be demonstrated.
It can be through:
Racism denial: WT states that people of colour are frequently taught that the racism they have experienced is made up or exaggerated, which makes them question the reality of what they have experienced. “A person in denial of racism may refuse to take responsibility for their actions by pretending to forget what happened or blaming their behaviour on someone else.” It is also said that the structural and systemic aspects of racism may also be disregarded by this type of gaslighting.
Trivilising racism: According to Healthline, an online health and wellness publication, trivialising racism is when someone downplays or pays little attention to the victim’s emotions. They can say that the victim overreacts or is overly sensitive towards racism.
Reverse victimisation: Another form of racial gaslighting mentioned by the WT is when people from wealthy backgrounds react negatively to discussions about racial inequalities by claiming to be victims of racism.
The publication states that the goal of this deceptive strategy is to minimise the issues and difficulties that marginalised individuals face. “An example of reverse victimization is the ‘All Lives Matter’ movement. People who say, ‘all lives matter ‘ as a counter-response to Black Lives Matter attempt to dismiss racism, saying that all lives are equal and yet refusing to acknowledge the systematic violence perpetrated against Black people in the US.”
The kind of impact racial gaslighting can have on your mental health, according to Medical News Today, is that it could have you feeling:
- Uneasy
- Bewildered
- Fearful, angry, and paranoid
- Helpless and hopeless
- In despair
- Unhappiness, and;
- Suicidal
If you find yourself in a situation where your views about racism against your race are being invalidated, this is how you can deal with it, as suggested by Healthline.
Voice it out
The publication states that if you feel comfortable, address racial gaslighting by expressing your feelings and allowing the person to reflect on their unconscious assumptions, but also remember, you are not obligated to correct or fix someone’s racial gaslighting. Healthline continues to advise that you share your experience with a trusted friend or family member for emotional support and validation. “Process the experience with people who understand and don’t need education.”
Seek support
As racial gaslighting can cause emotional distress, depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep issues, it is suggested that you seek support from a therapist, especially a person of colour specialising in racism and trauma, who can help you process and move forward.
