New Books in Psychoanalysis M. Fakhry Davids, "Internal Racism: A Psychoanalytic Approach to Race and Difference" (Red Globe, 2011)
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Mar 16, 2021 M. Fakhry Davids, a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst, dives deep into the concept of internal racism, highlighting its presence within all of us. He discusses how internalized biases emerged during his experience in apartheid South Africa, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues openly. Davids argues that by acknowledging our internal racist organization, we can foster more honest conversations about race. The implications on identity formation, particularly among children, and the need for psychoanalysis to tackle these deep-seated issues are explored.
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Apartheid and Fanon's Influence
- Fakhry Davids grew up in apartheid South Africa, where he studied clinical psychology.
- Discovering Frantz Fanon's work during his studies profoundly impacted his understanding of racism's psychological effects.
Internal Racist Organization
- Davids introduces the concept of the "internal racist organization" (IRO) as a normal part of psychic structure, not a pathology.
- This IRO is a system of defenses related to race and difference, similar to those found in patients with borderline or narcissistic personality disorders.
Development of the IRO
- Davids suggests the IRO develops from normal splitting in infancy, through stranger anxiety, and culminates in identification with the dominant power group.
- This identification is reinforced by societal stereotypes and lack of real-world interaction with out-group members.
