Why do some people discriminate against their own race?
by Carmen Van Kerckhove
We’re used to thinking of racial discrimination as something that occurs between people from different racial groups.
But is it possible for a person to engage in racial discrimination against a coworker of his own race? It’s not as common, but it can happen. I recently spoke to the restaurant industry trade publication QSR on this topic.
So, what would possibly cause a person to engage in same-race discrimination?
1. They buy into negative stereotypes about their own race
All of us have been inundated throughout our lives with racist stereotypes perpetuated by the media and other social institutions. It’s impossible not to have internalized some of these racist beliefs — even those about our own racial group.
But some folks have internalized these negative beliefs to a far greater degree than others, turning these beliefs into outright racial self-hatred. These people genuinely believe negative stereotypes about their own race, and this leads them to discriminate against those like themselves.
2. They think it’s a good career move
If you can’t beat’em, join’em, as the cliché goes. In a workplace where people of a certain racial group are already being discriminated against, joining in the discrimination could be seen by some as a way to climb the corporate ladder:
Van Kerckhove says some instigators might also see race-on-race harassment as a way to politically advance themselves in the company, but that racial discrimination—even if it’s inadvertent—has to be present initially.
“That could happen in a workplace where there already is racial discrimination,” Van Kerckhove says. “One group isn’t advancing where others are. In a case like that, even if they don’t believe anyone is inferior, they may treat others that way to advance their own cause.”
3. They want to distance themselves from the stereotype
Discriminating against people of their own race is a way to separate themselves; to prove to others that they’re “not one of those.”
Carmen Van Kerckhove, co-founder of New Demographic, a company that facilitates conversations about race in the workplace and at seminars, says another reason race-on-race harassment occurs is that “it’s a reaction against negative stereotypes of your own race.” This twisted logic dictates that if an employee separates himself from his own race—by disdaining it or criticizing it—he will prevent himself from being judged according to those stereotypes.
4. They are prejudiced against a specific ethnicity or class
What looks to others like same-race discrimination may actually have nothing to do with race at all. There are ethnic groups, for example, that distrust each other due to historically strained relationships. In other cases, the prejudice may be based on socio-economic factors:
In some racial groups, there is a pecking order, particularly among Hispanics who might condescend based on the length of time a person has been in the U.S., which is sometimes seen as a status symbol.
“If you don’t understand the language, all of this could be going on and you’re unaware of it,” Fernandez says. “If you don’t speak the language, you’ve got to have somebody who’s bilingual who can speak the language. You’ve got to make it crystal clear to them that our culture is not going to tolerate this classism, sexism, and racism. If the company sets up standards that there’s zero tolerance around that, they figure it out.”
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of 
Kandoodle wrote:
I see #3 all the time!
Posted 29 Jan 2008 at 10:52 pm ¶
Anonymous wrote:
I agree with the “reasons” stated in the article on same race discrimination; however, one key “reason” which was not mentioned is that of skin color. Since the early days of slavery, there has been the feud regarding the “house negro” vs. the “field negro” and a substantial measure of this debate revolves around skin color. Skin color, or the degree of “blackness,” still greatly affects intra-cultural communication. It occurs regularly within the African American population but it is also prevalent amongst Latino cultures.
As a dark skin Latino, I have experienced discrimination from my own people because I’ve been deemed too dark to be a real Latino. A great many light skin Latinos have used their “whiteness” to advance academically, professionally, socially and in many other respects. Doubt that discrimination is prevalent in Latino culture? Spend 10 minutes of any day watching the various Spanish television channels. Rarely are dark skin Latinos represented and when they are, too often, their “roles” in the very popular telenovelas (soap operas) are regularly relegated to serving as part of the kitchen help or as hired hands to do the dirty work. The worse part of this is that I don’t see any progress on this front and many Latinos simply accept same race discrimination as “part of our culture” and thus are reluctant to discuss the matter.
When an African American discriminates against a black African, “foreignness” can play a role, however, when a Mexican or Puerto Rican discriminates against someone from their own pueblo or home town, especially when they know little if anything at all regarding the person’s English proficiency or socio-economic status, skin color is usually the “reason” behind same race discrimination.
Posted 30 Jan 2008 at 10:31 am ¶
Carlos Mills wrote:
Carmen, I just responded to your article on same race discrimination, but neglected to fill in my name and e-mail address…Sorry
Carlos
Posted 30 Jan 2008 at 10:33 am ¶
Carmen Van Kerckhove wrote:
Carlos - great point. I should have included that in this post. Colorism is a HUGE issue in communities of color, and definitely one that is tied to socio-economic status.
Posted 30 Jan 2008 at 10:52 am ¶
Jonathan Richardson wrote:
Hey Carlos, Great insight into the Hispanic persective of self-discrimination!
Posted 02 Feb 2008 at 3:36 am ¶
Roger wrote:
I can relate to what Carlos is saying because I am a Latino of African descent. Although my complexion is more in the middle range and my hair is wavy, my wide nose and full lips are objects of scorn or ridicule for Latinos who have developed a frighteningly heightened sense of racial paranoia and hatred by seemingly combining anti-black notions so prevalent in Latin America with a newfound desire to assimilate as quickly as possible into a “white” or normal American identity.
Although one might assume that Latinos who are lighter skinned or generally more European in appearance are the primary instigators, I have encountered racism from latinos of all shades and persuasions, including black Latino who desperately attempt to distance themselves from their African heritage to appease the racism of their Latin American community and mainstream U.S. society at the same time.
I have also encountered African-Americans who object to my identification with blackness, because their view of blackness is restricted entirely to a North American concept. Some are unaware that their are black people from Latin America and are offended when I describe myself as Black and Latino and not simply “black.”
And lastly, I’ve encountered people of every kind who cannot wrap their heads around the concept that being Black and being latino are not mutually exclusive. In their eyes, I must be somehow be “1/2 Black and 1/2 Latino” (meaning that i must have one african-american and one latin american parent, with the assumption that the two categories cannot possibly complement or overlap) and when I tell them that both of my parents are Black and Latino and nobody is “1/2″ anything, they respond to me as if I told them the sky is purple.
People have issues.
Posted 08 Feb 2008 at 1:45 pm ¶
Roger wrote:
If anyone out there can share insight into color-based prejudice in the Arab-speaking world, please do so, as it is a topic that is rarely discussed.
Posted 08 Feb 2008 at 2:02 pm ¶
Deborah7 wrote:
Hi there,
I have a concern that I cannot seem to find any information or advice on.
I know of a African American employed in the construction industry. There are several team members working together on completing their daily tasks everyday. This particular person absolutely refuses to pick up a shovel, rake or any piece of equipment or tool needed to complete a job that he deems is ” Ni-er” work. He says this himself, these are his words not mine!
He leaves all the “labor-type” work for everyone else to do while he stands there and watches.
He is discriminating against himself to avoid doing what it takes to complete the job.
Do you know anything about this type of self discrimination for self gain, and what can be done to stop it.
Thank You
Posted 27 Feb 2008 at 2:37 pm ¶
Angel H. wrote:
*sigh…Are you freakin’ kidding me?
Deborah7, where-oh-where do I begin?
First of all, there is no such thing as “self-discrimination”. Secondly, the fact that you come to a site like this asking us how to deal with an African-American employee tells us more about you than it does about him. Get a clue: Not all People of Color are the same.
Instead of asking us how to deal with “one of our own”, treat him like the individual that he is. Would you be asking your blonde-haired and blue-eyed colleagues how to deal with someone who was blond with blue-eyes.
I didn’t think so.
Posted 08 Mar 2008 at 1:57 pm ¶
Angel H. wrote:
Wait, I think I may be misunderstood…
What I meant was that people don’t discriminate against themselves. There is a such a thing as the self-hate and same-race discrimination that goes on in the original post. However, the very definition of discrimination belies the fact that someone can discriminate against his/her own person.
Besides, Deborah7, your problem simply has to do with an employee - a person - who won’t do his job. Period.
Posted 08 Mar 2008 at 2:04 pm ¶
Juan R. wrote:
EVERY enthnic group has dumb or ignorant people. So if I distance myself from these people-though they’re members of my own race-am I discriminating against them? I am not affluent or considered successful, but I’m smart enough to realize that some Hispanics (Mexicans) “get it” and some do not.
And, unfortunately, there is plenty of “class” discrimination among the various ethnics groups-including white. So let’s attack the real issue and not get side-tracked by labeling ourselves as “self-racists” because we choose not to defend negative stereotypes within our own community.
Posted 21 Mar 2008 at 1:13 pm ¶
Deborah7 wrote:
Angel H.
Obviously this is a very broad and sensitive subject.
I was trying to ask for some helpful assistance with positive suggestions and ideas to help deal with the matter.
I never expected such a negative response.
I was not looking for some obvious debate on how “not all people of color are the same”,or “that a person doesn’t want to do his job”….this all of course is the obvious.
Next time you reply to a posting, try to offer positive feedback. You can drive home a point far better with kindness.
Truly, your negative attitude and defensive words say a lot about you.
And thank you for pointing out, that perhaps I am looking for positive advice on the wrong site.
Posted 01 Apr 2008 at 3:10 pm ¶
Angel H. wrote:
You asked how you, a White woman, should deal with a Black employee who was problematic, instead of seeing it as a problematic employee who happened to be Black.
The fact that you didn’t expect a negative response shows your own naivete.
Obviously it’s not too obvious, or else you wouldn’t have posed the question.
Sowwy I hurt your feewings, but when I see racial stupidity, I call people on it.
Also take note: “One item that comes up over and over in discussions of racism is that of tone/attitude. People of Color (POC) are very often called on their tone when they bring up racism, the idea being that if POC were just more polite about the whole thing the offending person would have listened and apologized right away…At the core of this expectation of politeness is the idea that the POC in question should teach the offender what was wrong with their statement. Because in my experience what is meant by “be polite” is “teach me”, teach me why you’re offended by this, teach me how to be racially sensitive and the bottom line is that it is no one’s responsibility to teach anyone else.”
Just because this is a site about anti-racism, doesn’t mean it’s not a positive place. As a matter of fact, I hope you’ll stay on as reader as learn something. But, since youi’re picking up your toys and going home, it’s pretty obvious that you were just here for that one thing. Then the “Bad Ol’ Angry Black Woman” made you mad, so you flounced.
This ite is an excellent resource for any and everybody. If you were upset merely because of what I wrote, then maybe the problem’s not this blog.
It’s you.
Posted 08 Apr 2008 at 5:32 pm ¶
Deborah7 wrote:
Re: Angel H
I see your still angry.
Relax….I’m not trying to make any enemies here. I simply had a question and you answered it in your ” Big OL” Angry way.
Speaking of racism….who said I was White??
You ARE coming close to sounding racist here….sorry for being blunt, but when I see racial stupidity, I call people on it.
I never presumed or even cared about the color or race of you….mmmmm???
“bottom line is that it is no one’s responsibility to teach anyone else.”
It is human nature to teach as well as to learn. It is also our responsibility to move forth and better ourselves and others in this world.We are at this site to teach and learn from each other. This and other sites are a wonderful opportunity for both.
As a matter of fact, I hope you’ll stay on as reader as learn something.
You are right about one thing, I am “Niave”…about racism. You see I dont practice it. I treat people equally, fairly and kindly. I never expect to be pounced on for this or any other reason someone deems necessary and justifiable in their own “Niavetes”.
Thank you for your sarcastic semi-apology.
If you were upset merely because of what I wrote, then maybe the problem’s not me.
It’s you.
Posted 26 May 2008 at 6:58 pm ¶
Corey wrote:
Latino is not a race..its an ethnic group with a shared or similar culture/liguistic background…so when light-skinned aka white latinos discriminate against dark-skinned aka balck/mulatto latinos its because you arent the same race as them…you may be from the same ethnic group but ur not the same race and they know it.
Posted 06 Jun 2008 at 11:03 am ¶
Angel H. wrote:
Try harder.
It’s pretty damn obvious.
Apparently, I’m racist for pointing out your racist “logic”. Brilliant! [/sarcasm]
But you sure did put a lot of emphasis on your coworker’s race.
But no one has an obligation to do so. Example: I would expect you have some basic understanding of race relations in this country. If you don’t that’s not my problem - I’d advise you check your local library.The fact that many White people expect to be taught basic Racism 101 by the most accessible POC reeks of privilege.
Be grateful you don’t have to live with it.
Except in this comment.
Then why the stupid question?
Oops. Sorry, about that.
I actually never meant to apologize.
Posted 09 Jun 2008 at 5:10 pm ¶
soothsayer wrote:
Deborah7 wrote:
Hi there,
I have a concern that I cannot seem to find any information or advice on.
I know of a African American employed in the construction industry. There are several team members working together on completing their daily tasks everyday. This particular person absolutely refuses to pick up a shovel, rake or any piece of equipment or tool needed to complete a job that he deems is ” Ni–er” work. He says this himself, these are his words not mine!
He leaves all the “labor-type” work for everyone else to do while he stands there and watches.
He is discriminating against himself to avoid doing what it takes to complete the job.
Do you know anything about this type of self discrimination for self gain, and what can be done to stop it.
Thank You
This problem isn’t one of racism, although the employee in question would probably love nothing more than to play the race card to justify a poor work ethic and nothing you do will prevent the person from filing a lawsuit against you for taking punitive measures. The trick is to identify potential problem employees before you hire them. Now that you have already hired a troublemaker, you will have to deal with that person like you would any employee who is goofing off on the job. Lazy employees will make any excuse they think they can get away with being worthless. Just make sure that you treat them no differently than you would any other employee and never be afraid to be the boss. If it’s your company and you hired that person to do a job and they refuse to do it, then take the same measures you would for anyone else. Racism is not excluded to white people. Don’t give power to hatred and stereotypes by responding to people who play the race card. If he uses the N-word again, fire him for using racial slurs. That rule should apply to everyone, even those who want to call their own race names. Being of a particular color should not give people license to use racial slurs. The words are ignorant, just like the people who use them. Assholes are just assholes, without regard for race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin. If he is not doing his job and is using racial slurs, just fire his sorry ass and be done with the problem, just like you would if a white person said it.
Posted 16 Jul 2008 at 7:20 pm ¶
Ramona wrote:
I think is all is self-discrimination. The only thing that sets people up with discriminating one and another is because of the way your brought up, you are trained to feel and think of things and not view all aspects of any one situation. . The society forces you to think a certain way, so the way you think isn’t your opinion at all…. The person who discriminates is the victim because your opinion isn’t yours, but your manipulated to say these things.
People should also look deeper into things, look around and you will see that there are very happy mixed family’s, gay couples etc. Get to know and understand everyone and then you will realize that your opinion is wrong.
Hope this isnt much blabla!!!!
Posted 16 Sep 2008 at 3:05 pm ¶