For #SHW24 we’re exploring the links between mental and sexual health. In this blog Brook Participatory Advisory Group (PAG) member, 17 year-old Nikki Oni, uses her own experiences to discuss the impact that racism can have have on both mental and sexual health for people of colour.
While the recent riots across the UK have sparked my interest in writing this blog, I want to make it clear that I will not be focusing on the riots themselves. Instead, this blog aims to explore a broader issue that these events brought to light – internalised racism. Specifically, I’ll be discussing how internalised racism intersects with sexual and mental health, particularly for people of colour. This conversation is essential because mainstream sexual health education often overlooks the experiences of marginalised communities, leading to significant gaps in care and understanding.
As a Black woman, my perspective is shaped by my personal experiences, but the issues I’ll discuss extend far beyond race alone. Intersectionality considers the overlapping identities we hold, such as race, gender, class, sexual orientation, disability, and more. It’s vital to understand how these intersecting identities contribute to unique experiences of oppression and discrimination.
What is Intersectionality?
Intersectionality, also known as intersectional theory, was first coined in 1989 by American civil rights advocate Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw. It refers to the study of overlapping or intersecting social identities and the related systems of oppression, domination, or discrimination. Intersectionality shows how intersecting identities create experiences that are not fully addressed by mainstream discourse.
In my academic journey as a Black woman in STEM, I often feel like I’m navigating a complex maze of biases. As a second-generation immigrant, I face the dual challenge of being underestimated both as a woman and as a person of colour. This intersection of identities means that I often find myself having to work harder and prove myself more than my peers. This constant need to overcompensate isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about exceeding expectations to counteract the societal biases that are deeply embedded in our educational and professional environments. These experiences sometimes have a profound impact on my mental health, creating a sense of persistent pressure and self-doubt.
Sexual Health Education and People of Colour
Mainstream sexual health education often overlooks the experiences of people of colour, leaving many feeling excluded or alienated. In my own experience, most of my RSHE (Relationship and Sexual Health Education) lessons were monocultural.
The lack of representation in sexual health materials made me feel that these lessons weren’t really meant for me.
I’ve never seen a Black body represented in educational resources on human anatomy, which perpetuates the idea that certain bodies are the “norm” while others are not.
The lack of inclusivity in beauty standards can have significant consequences. For example, a friend once shared with me the pressure she felt to conform to narrow beauty ideals, which often emphasise a very specific, and sometimes unrealistic, standard of appearance. This made me think of a scene in Sex Education (Season 3, Episode 3), where a website was featured that celebrated the diversity of vulvas in various skin tones and shapes, underscoring that all bodies are beautiful in their own way. While I’m not necessarily suggesting that such explicit content is necessary for educational resources, the scene powerfully demonstrated the importance of representation. It illustrated how showcasing a broad spectrum of diversity can challenge restrictive beauty standards and promote a more inclusive perspective. The current lack of representation in media and educational materials can leave many individuals feeling isolated or inadequate, highlighting the urgent need for a wider range of experiences and appearances to be acknowledged and celebrated.
Internalised Racism and Mental Health
Internalised racism is a form of self-loathing where individuals from oppressed groups accept and internalise negative stereotypes about their race. I categorise internalised racism into two forms: internal and external.
Internal manifestations refer to the thoughts people have about themselves. People of colour may develop a sense of inferiority, believing they are less worthy or capable than their white counterparts. This can lead to low self-esteem, self-doubt, and feelings of inadequacy. Many may also devalue their physical appearance, leading to discomfort or rejection of natural features like hair texture, skin colour, and facial features. This can result in attempts to conform to Western beauty standards, such as skin bleaching or hair straightening.
One particularly damaging aspect of internalised racism is the “acting white” syndrome where individuals feel pressured to adopt behaviours or interests perceived as “white” to gain acceptance or avoid discrimination. This leads to a disconnection from one’s own racial identity.
I vividly remember being asked as a child, “Why do you act like you’re white?” Simply because I “talked very posh.”
This reflects the narrow-minded beliefs about how Black people should act, as if personality and mannerisms should be uniform within any racial group.
Externally, internalised racism can manifest in actions such as colourism, where lighter skin tones are valued over darker ones. This affects how individuals treat others within their community. For example, siblings with different skin tones might be treated differently, reflecting the impact of colourism. There is also a notable mistrust or distance among Black individuals, where many avoid large gatherings of other Black people to prevent discrimination or unwanted comments.
Desensitisation to microaggressions is another worrying trend. Microaggressions have become so ingrained in society that it’s easy to dismiss them as trivial. Statements like “You’re pretty for a [racial/ethnic group]”, or “Where are you really from?” or “You’re so articulate!” are harmful, reinforcing negative beliefs that individuals may have already internalised. To break the cycle between internalised racism and microaggressions, it’s essential to recognise and validate these experiences. Education, therapy, and community support can help individuals unlearn internalised racist beliefs and develop a healthier self-concept.
The Intersection of Race, Gender, and Sexual Health
Over the years, there has been a growing awareness of the disparities in healthcare, particularly for Black women. In the NHS, Black women are often not taken as seriously, feeling misunderstood or mistreated. Maternal mortality rates for Black women are almost four times higher than for white women, with significant disparities also existing for women of Asian and mixed ethnicity.
This issue is not confined to the UK.
The stereotype of the “strong Black woman” and the belief that Black women have a higher pain tolerance is deeply rooted in racist ideologies.
This misconception dates back to slavery and has significant implications for healthcare. Studies have shown that Black patients, including women, are often under-treated for pain compared to their white counterparts, leading to delays in diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and worse health outcomes.
There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that Black women have a higher pain tolerance than others. Pain tolerance is highly individual and influenced by various factors, including genetics, psychological state, and cultural background (some cultures may encourage stoicism in the face of pain, but this is a cultural expression, not a biological difference). Yet, this harmful stereotype persists, impacting the mental and physical health of Black women.
Addressing this issue requires more than just increased education and training for healthcare providers. We must acknowledge and address the subconscious biases that contribute to these disparities. It’s a complex issue, but raising awareness and promoting cultural competency in healthcare is a crucial step towards change.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding intersectionality is vital for addressing the complexities of sexual and mental health for people of colour. By acknowledging the unique challenges faced by marginalised communities, we can work towards more inclusive and effective healthcare and education. I want to end with a message of hope, resilience, and empowerment: encouraging readers to continue this conversation and support one another. Together, we can challenge and dismantle the systems of oppression that affect our lives.
