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Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 06 Aug 2024

What Is Tokenism and How Does It Affect Your Mental Health?

Tokenism has become a talking point because the events have frustrated many people with what they call superficial indicators of diversity and inclusion

In today’s world, when equality and diversity are much talked about subjects – there is a growing demand to put these into practice as well. And so, genuine intentions are key when it comes to efforts at diversity - otherwise, it is just tokenism, when a person gets included in a group just for the sake of sounding or looking diverse.
While tokenism is not genuine as it only keeps up appearances, there are many controversial takes on it as well.

What is tokenism?

According to experts, tokenism is the practice of including one person in a group to show that a group is diverse. This token person may be invited to join not based on merit, but based on their ethnicity, skin colour, and gender identity. The practice, experts say has become a talking point because the events have frustrated many people with what they call superficial indicators of diversity and inclusion that do not lead to any real structural changes in our society.
There have been many instances in the United States, like George Floyd's death and the uprising around the movement for Black Lives, where tokenism stands out as false, placating, and ignorant. Also, experts feel the media and entertainment industry often tokenize people in their discussion by including one person of that community left to defend or argue on behalf of everyone else.
However, that is not true diversity.

How does tokenism affect mental health?

Mental health experts feel tokenism does not do anything to promote diversity, it only makes it negative. A few negative effects of tokenism in general, include:
  • Creating pressure
  • Further separation from others in the group
  • Forming stereotypes
Tokenism can have a serious effect on a person’s impact on a person’s mental health, causing:
  • Depression
  • Burnout
  • Attrition
  • Minority tax - When a person from a minority group is given extra responsibilities to make it appear that diversity is present
Mental health experts feel tokenism can make an individual feel lonely as a result of not having anyone who understands you or your identity, which can isolate them completely. It also causes a lot of stress and anxiety in many people, especially those who belong to marginalized areas of society.
It also creates pressure which causes depression and not everyone can handle exhaustion – causing burnout. At the same time, doctors also feel if you are a token, you can feel invisible, especially if your achievements go unacknowledged or your contributions are ignored.

Ways to avoid tokenism to take care of your mental health

A few ways you can avoid the gesture and help alleviate your mental health problems include:
  • Allow diverse people to be decision-makers
  • Do not force people to be spokespersons of their community
  • Truly practice inclusion
  • Do not fake diversity
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