1. Internalized Oppression
By Sofia Dower-Vasquez, Parker Bosche, Andres Archila

2. Definition of Internalized Oppression:
Internalized oppression is when society imprints stereotypes and certain standards so deeply, that they are internalized to the point where people who possess traits deemed undesirable, begin to resent that part of themselves and sometimes even desire to change that part of themselves.

3. Character Breakdown Character: Claudia MacTeer
Claudia is a young girl who is portrayed as “rebel” to society by showing that she is a strong black female that knows her worth. She detests society's standards of beauty that say white is good and realizes that not only does white society value light skin but also black society. Claudia is also a sweet girl that shows kindness to other characters in the book like Pecola.

4. Evidence #1: (Sofia) Evidence #2: (Andres)
“But the dismembering of the dolls was not the true horror. The truly horrifying thing was the transference of the same impulses to little white girls. The indifference with which I could have axed them was shaken only by my desire to do so. To discover what eluded me: the secret of the magic they weaved on others. What made people look at them and say, "Awwwww," but not for me? The eye slide of black women as they approached them on the street, and the possessive gentleness of their touch as they handled them (Morrison, Autumn). ”
Breakdown of the Quote: This quote really exemplifies the complexity author, Morrison, brings to this character. He interweaves the feeling of curiosity with that of jealousy.
“Frieda and she had a long about cu-ute Shirley Temple was. I couldn’t join I couldn’t join them in their adoration because I hated Shirley (Morrison, Autumn).”
Breakdown of the Quote: The quote explains how Claudia doesn’t go along with everyone else’s idea of beauty and actually fights against it. The author also shows internalized oppression with the other characters and how they adore “white beauty.” Claudia however rejects and resents the standard for beauty put in place by society.

5. Evidence #3 (Parker):
“This disrupter of seasons was a new girl in school named Maureen Peal. A high-yellow dream child with long brown hair braided into two lynch ropes that hung down her back. She was rich, at least by our standards, as rich as the richest of the white girls, swaddled in comfort and care. The quality of her clothes threatened to derange Frieda and me. ” (Morrison Winter)
Quote Breakdown:
Claudia does not like the special treatment that comes from Maureen being lighter skinned. Rather than make this thought stemming from her internalized oppression about different shades of black, lower her own self esteem she reflects the anger back out and strongly dislikes Maureen. She makes fun of Maureen and find flaws like her dog tooth, rather than simply feeling bad that she is not like Maureen, like the way that Pecola desires blue eyes so poorly. This makes Claudia’s reaction to her preconceived notions that stem from internalized oppression different than most other characters.

6. Author’s Intentions:
The standard and definition of beauty was a lot different during this time period. There was a more singular definition, as whiter skin was valued more. Blue eyes like Shirley Temple were desired (Thus the title the Bluest Eye) and this image was made into society’s desirable appearance. The community in the book rejects the beauty of its own children, encouraging them to recognize the beauty standard of the dominant media. Claudia resists this color ideology, this internalized racism. She is angered by it and reflects it back, causing her to resent things like Shirley Temple. Morrison depicts Claudia as someone who is more aware that things like blue eyes do not necessarily mean beauty and she has more self worth and confidence about herself. She still has the internalized oppression and notions about beauty about her but she resists it. She actually resents it. I think Morrison was using Claudia to try and inspire readers to see that there is no one standard for beauty.