What I Fear Most When Studying Abroad? |

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How Intra-Community among Immigrants Destroy the Foreigners in the States

Betrayal Within: What I Fear Most When Studying Abroad?

Before I went abroad for my master study in the States, I originally thought that it might be the discrimination from the indigenous American or the not-well-educated and childish teenagers. So I really practiced a lot on how to get that pass. But the real truth wsn’t revealed until I spent so many of the sleepless nights dwelling on what I really experienced in the States.

I find that 80% of the hurt came from the people who have a similar color, racism and culture and who were usually expected to give me the strongest support. Among the mentioned candidates, 80% of them are the so-called old immigrants who are doing third-industry jobs in restaurants or other manual service jobs but with 20% left for the ABC (American-Born-China).

44% of Americans can’t name a famous living Asian American

I still remember one time I went to a Chinese hair salon, hoping to dye my curly and brown hair into more suitable style to show in the professional scenario. Even after I explained 30 minutes explicitly about the gruadual change it should have by showing 5 pictures with any possible details in face, the master barber and apprentice still gave me a huge surprise — not even closer to the color that I chose!

Even when I later try to explain calmly, they suddenly shifted their rude attitude and pushed every blame on me with bad words,shouting in front of me to be picky or arrogant. I even couldn’t believe that’s real happening instead of in the lates Netflix soup opera show.

They treat their compatriots badly as if we’re the ones who they could easily cheat or betray on without holding any possible subsequent responsibility.

——I think to myself.

Second similar experiences took place when I voluntarily accepted the offer to do the pet care for one of my Chinese schoolmates known from the Internet with quite limited wage, holding the initial intention to make friends in one such a boring vacation. That girl also became my the nightmare then. She posted some extremely trivial conflicts on social media with very detailed information about my personal account, names, and even the academic background, saying I let the cat enter her bedroom, leaving a stain on and causing one unusable sheet for her.

Not mentioning her necessary duty to disclose any possible habits the pet should have at advance, even her way to directly exaggerate things externally without showing any respect to me who came from the same motherland, and any attitude to negotiate or discuss was far beyond my comprehension. After all these past months, the only lingering impression that left in my mind is merely the simple doubt about her intention to do so. Just for rage bait (even this is unethical) on social media to judge me, or just to get my compensation(for 300 USD) in any way even by blackmail, the amount that could probably never be achieved under formal claims with me personally？

Thirdly…

New York China Town

There are countless examples which could never be finished within one page. You may ask at this moment, why these seemingly stupid and legitimately inappropriate cases were accepted by me at that time. The only answer is about the lack of safety in a new country and the first time shock that strongly shook me into the loss of direction

It is evident that intra-community discrimination among immigrants can be as detrimental as external prejudice.

This phenomenon, where individuals within the same ethnic or cultural group exhibit bias or harmful behavior toward one another, is deeply rooted in social and psychological factors.

Cultural Betrayal Trauma Theory (CBTT) highlights how intra-group discrimination can violate the sense of solidarity, loyalty, and trust that is often expected within minoritized communities, leading to significant psychological harm. Gómez (2022) found that such cultural betrayals exacerbate trauma, particularly when victims have high levels of intra-cultural trust, making them more vulnerable to distress.

The study revealed that among culturally diverse minoritized youth, those who experienced cultural betrayal within their community were more likely to exhibit clinically significant PTSD symptoms, especially when they initially trusted their community as a source of protection. This suggests that intra-community discrimination does not merely reflect individual conflicts but can also result in profound and lasting mental health consequences due to the breakdown of expected social support structures (Gómez, 2022).

Ask the Therapists Marie Hartwell-Walker, Ed.D. and Daniel J. Tomasulo, Ph.D., TEP, MFA talk about cultural bias in society.

So where do these come from?

Internalized Stereotypes and Cultural Norms

Immigrants often absorb societal stereotypes, leading to internalized negative beliefs. This can manifest as lateral discrimination, where biases are projected onto peers. Cultural norms enforcing conformity and hierarchy may intensify hostility toward those who deviate.

Inter-Group and Intraminority-Group Discrimination Experiences and the Coping Responses of Latino…Discrimination negatively impacts the health of HIV-positive Latino sexual minority men (LSMM+). A growing literature…pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychological Impact and Coping Mechanisms

The stress of acculturation can push immigrants to distance themselves from their cultural roots. Some may view their own community members as obstacles to personal success. This distancing can lead to discriminatory behaviors as a misguided survival strategy.

Internalized Colonialism & Lateral Oppression - Taylor Rae Almonte-RomanLateral oppression is displaced violence directed against one's peers rather than oppressors. This construct is one way…www.taylorraealmonte.com

Addressing Intra-Community Discrimination

Open dialogues within immigrant communities are essential to counter internal discrimination. Community organizations can foster inclusivity, offer support networks, and highlight shared struggles. Empowering individuals with knowledge of their rights can deter exclusionary behaviors.

Racism in Hispanic and Latino American communities - WikipediaRacism in Hispanic and Latino American communities often manifests as anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism. White and…en.wikipedia.org

Social Hierarchies and Economic Competition

Established immigrants may develop superiority over newer arrivals based on residence length or assimilation. Economic competition intensifies tensions, as limited opportunities create resentment. This perceived threat can drive discriminatory behaviors within the community.

Second-generation immigrants in the United States - WikipediaSecond-generation immigrants in the United States are individuals born and raised in the United States who have at…en.wikipedia.org

In conclusion, while external discrimination is a significant challenge for immigrants, addressing the internal dynamics of prejudice within communities is equally vital. By acknowledging and confronting these issues, immigrant communities can build stronger, more supportive networks that enhance the well-being and integration of all their members.

Reference

[1] Gómez, J. M. (2022). When solidarity hurts:(Intra) cultural trust, cultural betrayal sexual trauma, and PTSD in culturally diverse minoritized youth transitioning to adulthood. Transcultural psychiatry, 59(3), 292–301.

[2] Elahee, M. N., Kirby, S. L., & Nasif, E. (2002). National culture, trust, and perceptions about ethical behavior in intra‐and cross‐cultural negotiations: An analysis of NAFTA countries. Thunderbird International Business Review, 44(6), 799–818.

[3] Griffith, D. A., Hu, M. Y., & Ryans, J. K. (2000). Process standardization across intra-and inter-cultural relationships. Journal of International Business Studies, 31, 303–324.