What IS Racism?

 

The ICERD (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination) defines racism as follows:

 “Any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment, or exercise, on equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, or any other field of public life.”

Source:  http://www.sahrc.org.za/definition_of_racism.htm

 Additional definitions and interpretations of racism include:

The inherent belief in the superiority of one race over all others and thereby the right to dominance. (Audre Lorde). Source: www.uihome.uidaho.edu/default.aspx

 Unjust discrimination on the basis of a person's race; a violation of human dignity, and a sin against justice. Source:  www.thesacredheart.com/dictnary.htm

 A set of incorrect assumptions, opinions and acts resulting from the belief that one race is inherently/genetically superior to another. It occurs when people are not treated fairly because of their cultural or ethnic differences. Racism may be systemic (part of institutions, organizations, and programs) or part of the attitudes and behaviour of individuals. Source: www.japanesecanadianhistory.net/glossary.cfm

"Racism or racialism is a form of discrimination based on race, especially the belief that one race is superior to another. Racism may be expressed individually and consciously, through explicit thoughts, feelings, or acts, or socially and unconsciously, through institutions that promote inequality between races.  Source: www.kidsseek.co.uk/encyclopedia-wiki/ra/Racism

 The belief that one 'racial group' is inferior to another and the practices of the dominant group to maintain the inferior position of the dominated group. Often defined as a combination of power, prejudice and discrimination. Source: www.bl.uk/services/learning/curriculum/voices/refglos.html

Unjust discrimination on the basis of a person's race; a violation of human dignity, and a sin against justice.  Source: www.thesacredheart.com/dictnary.htm

Personal (attitudes/beliefs/behaviors), institutional (policies, laws, regulations) and social/cultural (beliefs, customs) that subordinates others based on physical characteristics, involves use of power plus privilege.  Source: www.accta.net/2003whitedef.html

Usually experienced as white supremacy, oppression/discrimination, action or inaction which subordinates based on race. Source: www.letswrap.com/LetsWRAP/Spring97/isms.htm

Practices and attitudes that display dislike or antagonism towards people seen as belonging to particular ethnic groups. Social significance is attached to culturally constructed ideas of difference.

Source: media.pearsoncmg.com/intl/ema/uk/0131217666/student/0131217666_glo.html

Prejudice or discrimination based on an individual's race. It can be expressed individually or through institutional policies or practices. 

Source: http://www.culturalpartnerships.org/productspubs/glossary.asp

 "Racism is a form of persecution based on beliefs, practices, and institutions that negatively discriminate against people based solely on their perceived or ascribed race. When combined with the power to have a negative impact on those discriminated against in this way, racial persecution has been the source of extreme hardship for particular minorities, considered as aliens within particular societies.  Source:  www.encyclopedia-online.info/Racism

Racism is a phenomenon in which people mistreat, discriminate against, dislike or even hate, have disdain for, or regard as inferior other people based on their real or perceived race. The term is almost always used pejoratively, with accusations of racism being very common but with few describing themselves as racist. The term racialism is sometimes favored as a less negative term by those who hold certain beliefs about other races which they believe to be scientifically justified.  Source: www.encyclopedia4u.com/r/racism.html

The prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races  discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race   Source: wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Racism has historically been defined as the belief that race is the primary determinant of human capacities, that a certain race is inherently superior or inferior to others, and/ or that individuals should be treated differently according to their racial designation. Sometimes racism means beliefs, practices, and institutions that discriminate against people based on their perceived or ascribed race. There is a growing, but somewhat controversial, opinion that racism is a system of oppression.  Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism

Somehow, there are people who apparently still don't see that it lessens a group's credibility when it selects, by race, who should be allowed to speak out about racism.  Source: http://dustinthelight.timshelarts.com/archives/00000362.htm