Os impactos do racismo na saúde mental da população negra à luz da psicologia histórico-cultural

Abstract

At the origin of Brazilian sociogenesis, racism against the Black population is a constitutive element of the socio-historical formation process of the nation, thereby producing significant marks that still affect Black bodies today. These impacts span centuries and remain embedded in the structure of contemporary Brazilian society due to the various mechanisms employed by the pact of whiteness, which seeks to preserve colonial privileges. This research, grounded in Historical-Cultural Psychology and decolonial studies, aims to discuss how racism impacts the subjectivity of the Black population. For this purpose, qualitative and quantitative research was conducted, involving a bibliographic review of articles, dissertations, and books. The theoretical research revealed that the Black population, not being included in the conceptualization of the standardized human being—the figure of the “white person”—undergoes the internalized development of a sense of inferiority, accompanied by guilt for failing to meet this supposed ideal. Constantly exposed to microaggressions in various areas of social interaction, which are rooted in social stigmas constructed during the slavery era, this population often unconsciously develops feelings of self-hatred, entering a process of personality disintegration. This disintegration may manifest as a denial of their socio-historical roots or as an alignment with the ideals of the dominant group in an attempt to “whiten” themselves.Thus, discussing racism is not only about addressing the root of social inequalities but also about exploring the psychological complexities and conflicts it causes. This structural racism distorts the social identity of Black individuals, harming their mental health and undermining their self-esteem.