RACISM (RACIAL DISCRIMINATION)

Nature Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature (i.e. which harms particular groups of people), and which is often justified by recourse to racial stereotyping or pseudo-science. "Racism" and "racial discrimination" are often used to describe discrimination on an ethnic or cultural basis, independent of their somatic (i.e. "racial") differences. According to the United Nations conventions, there is no distinction between the term racial discrimination and ethnicity discrimination. Usage of the term and related terms Scientific racism - This was often used to justify the belief that some races were inferior to others, and that differential treatment was consequently justified. Institutional racism When the practice of treating certain groups preferentially, or denying rights or benefits to certain groups, based on racial characteristics is institutionalized. The Oxford English Dictionary defined racialism as belief in the superiority of a particular race and gives a 1907 quote as the first recorded use. The shortened term racism did not appear in the English language until the 1930s. OED defined as [t]he theory that distinctive human characteristics and abilities are determined by race. Definition Racism, the term is commonly used negatively and is usually associated with race-based prejudice, violence, dislike, discrimination, or oppression, the term can also have varying and contested definitions. Racialism is a related term, sometimes intended to avoid these negative meanings. Legal According to the United Nations Convention, "racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin that has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life. Sociological Sociologists defined racism as a system of group privilege. In Portraits of White Racism, David Wellman has defined racism as "culturally sanctioned beliefs, which, regardless of intentions involved, defend the advantages whites have because of the subordinated position of racial minorities Xenophobia Includes deep-rooted antipathy towards foreigners, unreasonable fear or hatred of the unfamiliar, especially people of other races. The Dictionary of Psychology defines it as "a fear of strangers". Supremacism During the early 20th century, the phrase "The White Man's Burden" was widely used to justify imperialist policy as a noble enterprise. Segregationism Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. Types: Racial discrimination Heredity and eugenics Contemporary Institutional Polygenism and racial Inter-minority variants Economic typologies Research on influencing Declarations and Human zoos factors international law against Evolutionary theories about Anti-Racism racial discrimination the origins of racism International Day for the As an Ideology As state-sponsored activity Elimination of Racial Ethnic nationalism In Antiquity Discrimination Ethnic conflicts Middle Ages and Renaissance Academic variants 19th century Scientific variants 20th century