ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses how internalized oppression creates toxic self-talk that idealizes privileged groups and disparages marginalized groups. While many people have negative self-talk, some of the most toxic messages stem from internalized oppression. One powerful result of toxic self-talk is the Imposter Syndrome. This chapter explains how the Imposter Syndrome works as a tool of oppression. It discusses how structural oppression gaslights marginalized groups, and it offers practices for discerning and reframing our negative tapes into more empowering ones. In addition to healing from internalized oppression, structural change is simultaneously necessary to change the wider oppressive conditions that create internalized oppression.
