Gaslighting
Gaslighting is a form of manipulation and emotional abuse that often leads those affected to question their feelings, thoughts, perceptions and even their sanity. The term originates from the 1940s play Gas Light by dramatist Patrick Hamilton, in which a man tries to convince his wife that she has lost her mind. Gaslighting is understood not only as an interpersonal tactic but also as a structural phenomenon that can operate within unequal power relations.
- Abramson, K. (2014). “Turning Up the Lights on Gaslighting.” Philosophical Perspectives, 28(1), 1–30.
- Hamilton, P. (1938). Gas Light. London: Constable.
Racial gaslighting
Racial gaslighting describes practices through which experiences of racism are minimized, denied, or reframed, thereby undermining the credibility of those who report them. This may occur through seemingly neutral statements such as “Are you sure that was intentional?” or “I don’t think that was racist,” which shift attention away from structural racism and place the burden of proof on those affected (Davis & Ernst, 2019).
- Davis, A. Y., & Ernst, R. (2019). “Racial Gaslighting.” Politics, Groups, and Identities, 7(4), 761–774.
- Sweet, P. L. (2019). “The Sociology of Gaslighting.” American Sociological Review, 84(5), 851–875.
What is Racial Gaslighting?