Impoverished Black Americans Combating Racism and Microaggressions

Abstract

This research examines the ways in which not only systemic racism helps to allow the cycle of poverty to continue for black Americans but the daily social interactions black Americans have to encounter as well. In addition, this research will focus on the emotional and physical labor Black Americans put in to combat internalized racism and shame as well as stereotypes. The research questions and the data collected were aimed to answer 1)how has racism in the U.S impacted Black Americans' mental capacity to escape the cycle of poverty?, and 2)What emotional and physical work must be done by Black Americans to combat internalized racism and shame. The data was collected through a series of 10 in depth interviews with black Americans consisting of a variety of ages between 18-25 years. The questions that were asked were in regards to racist experiences these individuals have encountered throughout life in the workplace, school, medical facilities, and/or how racism has affected their everyday thoughts. With this data I observed how these experiences and internalized racism and shame has impacted the individuals mental health, as well as internal struggles making it extremely hard to break the cycle of poverty.