racism
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English
Etymology
From French racisme (1935/36).
Noun
racism (uncountable)
- The belief that each race has distinct and intrinsic attributes.
- The belief that one race is superior to all others.
- Prejudice or discrimination based upon race.
Usage notes
- Different people define race differently, so, naturally, different people define racism differently.
- Racism is generally accepted as wrong in English-speaking societies, and the word racism carries strong negative connotations. Therefore, those opposing a certain practice might characterize it as "racist" in order to try to take advantage of those connotations, and conversely, those defending a certain practice might try to mitigate it by claiming that it is not racist.
- While racism is, per se, usually tied to race, some speakers will (controversially) use the term in other cases as well:
- 2002, Tom Carter-Smith, Sex – an Apology for Love, NORDISC Music & Text, ISBN 87-88619-09-5, page 99,
- The reason for this was the general prejudice (read: racism) against gays among “straight” people; the government simply didn't want the public to be appalled by posters and TV adds with “queers”.
- 2002, Tom Carter-Smith, Sex – an Apology for Love, NORDISC Music & Text, ISBN 87-88619-09-5, page 99,
- The term reverse racism has been used to describe racism (in one sense or another) by a group that has traditionally been oppressed, against a traditionally more-empowered group. However, some argue that this distinction does not need to be made, and advocate using simply the term racism; others have argued conversely that the term racism should not be used at all in such cases.
- For many speakers, the term racism implies conscious belief or behavior, but this distinction is not universally held.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
race discrimination or dislike
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See also
- affirmative action
- anti-semitism
- apartheid
- black is beautiful
- Civil Rights Movement
- cultural anthropology
- cultural relativism
- ethnic majority
- ethnic minority
- ethnocentrism
- eugenics
- Eurocentrism
- hate crime
- historical particularism
- intolerance
- multiculturalism
- nationalism
- political minority
- Rainbow Coalition
- unilineal evolution
- social Darwinism
- supremacist
- tolerance
- White supremacy
- xenophobia
