Gaslighting

Gaslighting, as a psychological manipulation tactic, involves making someone doubt their own reality, memory or perception. This tactic has been used historically to undermine individuals or groups, and in the case of Colonialism, it has been used to gaslight entire nations, cultures and people, particularly First Nations peoples.

Colonial Gaslighting: The Historical Context

When European powers colonized the Americas, Africa, Asia and other regions, they didn't just conquer land, they also systematically disrupted and undermined entire cultural systems. One of the ways they did this was by gaslighting Indigenous populations, making them question their own worth, history, traditions and reality.

• Disregard for Indigenous Knowledge: Colonial powers often dismissed Indigenous knowledge systems, including their understanding of the land, healing practices, languages and governance. Colonizers presented their own ways of life and systems as superior, even though they were often alien to the land they were occupying. This not only dismissed the richness of Indigenous cultures but also made them feel inferior.
  
  

• Erosion of Identity: Through policies like forced assimilation, land theft and residential schools, colonizers attempted to erase Indigenous identities. They forced Indigenous children to abandon their languages and customs, telling them that their ways were primitive or barbaric. In essence, they gaslit them into believing their cultural identity was something to be ashamed of.
  
  

• Redefining History: Colonizers often rewrote history to portray their conquests as "civilizing missions" claiming they were bringing civilization to "savage" lands and peoples. This redefinition of history gaslighted Indigenous peoples into doubting their own history, traditions and accomplishments.
  
  

The Legacy of Colonial Gaslighting: Modern Day

While formal colonial systems may no longer exist in the same way, their legacy is still felt today. The descendants of colonial powers continue to perpetuate gaslighting in various forms:

1. Cultural Appropriation and Erasure: Many modern-day practices and symbols that are vital to Indigenous cultures are often taken or commodified by non-Indigenous peoples. This process gaslights Indigenous communities by stripping them of ownership and meaning, turning cultural practices into trends without understanding or respect for their origins.
   
   

2. Racial Gaslighting: In contemporary society, many Indigenous peoples still face discrimination and racism, yet their lived experiences are often denied or minimized by broader society. This happens through the denial of ongoing systemic racism, the dismissal of Indigenous struggles, or the portrayal of Indigenous peoples as "overreacting" or "stuck in the past." This type of racial gaslighting invalidates the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
   
   

3. Land Disputes and Resource Extraction: Corporate interests and governments continue to displace Indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands for resource extraction, development, and industrial projects. In these cases, Indigenous peoples are often gaslit with claims that they have no real legal claim to the land or that their objections are "irrational." This ignores the long-standing spiritual and cultural connection Indigenous peoples have with the land and the treaties that protect their rights.
   
   

4. Media Representation: The portrayal of Indigenous peoples in mainstream media often perpetuates stereotypes. Indigenous cultures are sometimes reduced to caricatures or outdated images, rather than being shown as vibrant, contemporary cultures. This misrepresentation gaslights Indigenous peoples by distorting their identities, erasing their diversity and limiting their voices in shaping their own narratives.
   
   

5. Health and Social Injustice: Indigenous communities often face worse health outcomes, lower life expectancies and higher rates of poverty than the general population. However, these disparities are frequently ignored or minimized by policymakers and media, who may say things like, “The situation isn’t that bad,” or “It’s just a result of their lifestyle choices.” This kind of gaslighting invalidates the structural inequalities and historical trauma that contribute to these issues.
   
   

The Psychological Impact of Gaslighting

The long-term effects of colonial gaslighting are profound. Indigenous peoples, particularly those in colonized regions, have faced a kind of cultural and psychological warfare that continues today. The impact can manifest in:

• Identity Struggles: Generations of being told that their culture, language and history are inferior can lead to a disconnection from one's roots. This often results in struggles with identity and pride, as well as a sense of cultural dislocation.
  
  

• Internalized Oppression: Continuous exposure to colonial narratives can lead to internalized racism and a belief that one's own culture and identity are "lesser" or "backward." This may perpetuate cycles of self-doubt and self-loathing.
  
  

• Mistrust of Authority: Gaslighting can make people question their own experiences and perceptions, leading to a distrust of institutions like governments, legal systems and even health care systems. This mistrust is compounded by a history of being wronged and ignored by these systems.
  
  

Healing and Reclaiming Truth

Addressing the legacy of colonial gaslighting requires truth-telling and reconciliation. Indigenous communities are actively working to reclaim their history, language, and traditions and to assert their right to define their own reality. Movements to revitalize language, assert land rights and tell Indigenous stories in their own voices are central to this process.

Additionally, many Indigenous peoples are reclaiming their spiritual and cultural practices, rejecting the colonial narrative that they are inferior or primitive. Healing from the gaslighting of colonialism involves rediscovering one's identity and standing firm in the truth of one's history, culture and place in the world.

This Healing process is not just for Indigenous communities, but for all of society. Recognizing the trauma and gaslighting of colonialism is crucial for moving toward a more just and equitable future, where Indigenous voices and perspectives are valued, and their history is respected.

Gaslighting is now a common theme with Unhealed Men in Modern Day. 

You might ask Why Men would do this?  It is for Power and Control and usually it is the descendants of the Colonizers because the systems we are told are in place to protect us are created in favor of Men and usually of european descent.   This gives them an opportunity to Abuse with minimal chance of consequences to their actions. 

Gaslighting is a form of abuse meant to manipulate and control in order to maintain Power and Enslave the Other into Mental Abuse.