“Haply, for I am black”: Internalized Racism in Othello Racism is a major theme in Othello, one that shows up countless times throughout the play. It’s one of the reasons that Iago hates Othello, fuelling his envy. It’s why Brabantio is convinced that Othello used black magic to seduce Desdemona, because she otherwise would never fall for a black man. And it, along with Iago’s guile, is why Othello even questions Desdemona’s love for him, and ultimately kills her. However, racism is not only present in the people around Othello; it is within him. Internalized racism is when racial minorities take in the racist messages that relentlessly bombard them, and start to have feelings of self-loathing and hatred of their own race (Nittle). The Tragedy of Othello is a perfect example of how internalized racism can destroy a person. Although Othello holds an
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iii. 441-43). Othello says her name and reputation are ruined because of her alleged affair with Cassio, but his wording is what shows that he is experiencing internalized racism. He says her face used to be as clean and white as Diana, the goddess of the moon; yet now, her face is dirty and “black” like himself. He associates his blackness with uncleanliness, just like the Venetians do.
Even though Othello loves Desdemona, he doesn’t understand how a young, white woman could love an old, black man like him:
Haply, for I am black
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have, or for I am declined
Into the vale of years (III. iii. 304-7)
At this point, Othello has absorbed the prejudice so prevalent in his society, and there is no turning back from here. He believes that because he is old and black, he isn’t good enough for Desdemona. Why would she marry him when a young white man like Cassio is more
iii. 441-43). Othello says her name and reputation are ruined because of her alleged affair with Cassio, but his wording is what shows that he is experiencing internalized racism. He says her face used to be as clean and white as Diana, the goddess of the moon; yet now, her face is dirty and “black” like himself. He associates his blackness with uncleanliness, just like the Venetians do.
Even though Othello loves Desdemona, he doesn’t understand how a young, white woman could love an old, black man like him:
Haply, for I am black
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have, or for I am declined
Into the vale of years (III. iii. 304-7)
At this point, Othello has absorbed the prejudice so prevalent in his society, and there is no turning back from here. He believes that because he is old and black, he isn’t good enough for Desdemona. Why would she marry him when a young white man like Cassio is more