Racism
/ˈreɪsɪzəm/
Definitions
Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.
/ˈreɪsɪzəm/
Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.
Racism is a deep-seated problem that affects many societies.
💡 Simply: It's when people treat others unfairly because of their skin color, where they come from, or how they look. Like, if someone thinks they're better than someone else just because of their race, that's racism.
👶 For kids: When you are mean to someone because of their skin color or where they come from, that is racism.
More Examples
The company's policies were accused of systemic racism.
She spoke out against the racism she experienced.
The goal of anti-racism is to dismantle racist systems.
How It's Used
"Racism continues to be a significant problem in many societies, leading to inequality and injustice."
"The politician was accused of racism due to their discriminatory policies."
"The documentary exposed the systemic racism present in the criminal justice system."
Idioms & expressions
institutional racism
Racism expressed in the practice of social and political institutions.
"Institutional racism can lead to significant disparities in education and employment."
systemic racism
Racism embedded as normal practice within a society or an organization.
"The report highlighted the ways systemic racism affects policing."
reverse racism
Discrimination against members of a dominant or majority group.
"Some people argue that affirmative action policies could lead to reverse racism."
From race (referring to human groups based on physical characteristics, now largely considered a social construct) + -ism (a suffix denoting a doctrine or system). Emerged in the late 19th century with the development of scientific racism and the rise of eugenics.
The term gained prominence in the mid-20th century, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.
Memory tip
Think 'race' and 'ism' to remember the discrimination and belief of racial superiority.