What is the Difference Between Race and Racism?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between race and racism lies in their definitions and the ways they manifest in society.
- Race: Race is a social construct that classifies people based on certain physical characteristics, such as skin color, hair texture, or facial features. It is primarily unitary, meaning an individual can only have one race, and it is socially imposed and hierarchical, with an inequality built into the system. Race is a prohibited ground of discrimination in certain laws and policies, but it is not specifically defined in those contexts.
- Racism: Racism is a wider phenomenon than racial discrimination and can be openly displayed in racial jokes, slurs, or hate crimes, or more deeply rooted in values and stereotypical beliefs. It operates at various levels, including individual, systemic, and societal levels. Racism can manifest as individual beliefs in racial differences without necessarily translating into inequality, but it can also lead to institutional racism, which is the systemic subordination of targeted racial groups with relatively little social power.
In summary, race is a social construct that classifies people based on certain physical characteristics, while racism is a broader concept that encompasses beliefs, attitudes, and actions based on racial differences. Racism can manifest in individuals and institutions, leading to systematic discrimination and oppression of certain racial groups.
Comparative Table: Race vs Racism
The terms "race" and "racism" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Here is a table that highlights the differences between race and racism:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Race | The concept of dividing people into populations or groups based on factors such as skin color, facial type, and other physical characteristics. |
| Racism | The systemic subordination of members of targeted racial groups who have relatively little social power in a particular society (e.g., Blacks, Latino/as, Native Americans). Racism involves one group having the power to carry out systematic discrimination through policies, practices, and actions. |
Race is a social construct that evolves over time and is based on observed or assigned meaning. Racism, on the other hand, is a belief that humans may be divided into separate and exclusive biological entities called "races," with some races being innately superior to others. Racism can lead to systemic discrimination, which disadvantages certain racial groups and results in inequitable opportunities and outcomes.
- Discrimination vs Racism
- Prejudice vs Racism
- Stereotype vs Racism
- Race vs Color
- Race vs Ethnicity
- Nationality vs Race
- Caste vs Race
- Race vs Species
- Racist vs Bigot
- Prejudice vs Discrimination
- Segregation vs Discrimination
- Stigma vs Discrimination
- Black vs African American
- Ethnicity vs Culture
- Bigotry vs Prejudice
- African vs African American
- Stereotype vs Prejudice
- Diversity vs Multiculturalism
- Culture vs Diversity