racism
B2-C2Formal, academic, journalistic, social/political discourse. The word is a formal and serious term, not used in casual or lighthearted contexts.
Definition
Meaning
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.
A social or political system, ideology, or set of beliefs that asserts the inherent superiority of one race over another and is used to justify discrimination, segregation, or domination. Can also refer to the systemic and institutional structures that perpetuate racial inequity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core meaning encompasses both individual prejudiced attitudes and systemic/institutional structures of power. Modern usage heavily emphasizes the systemic and institutional dimensions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Usage is identical, though associated historical and political contexts differ (e.g., UK discourse often links it to colonialism and immigration; US discourse often links it to slavery, Jim Crow, and Civil Rights).
Connotations
Equally strong negative connotations in both varieties. The term is a serious accusation and a central concept in social critique.
Frequency
High frequency in political, academic, and media discourse in both regions. Perhaps slightly more frequent in contemporary US public discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
racism against [group]racism in [institution/system]racism from [person/group]racism towards [group][Person/Institution]'s racismVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A stain of racism”
- “The poison of racism”
- “The spectre of racism”
- “To be colour-blind (often criticized as ignoring racism)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contexts of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), addressing workplace discrimination, and bias in hiring/promotion.
Academic
A central term in critical race theory, sociology, history, and political science. Discussed as a structural and ideological phenomenon.
Everyday
Used to describe prejudiced behavior or remarks, often in discussions of news events, personal experiences, or social issues.
Technical
Used in legal contexts (e.g., racism as grounds for a lawsuit), sociological analysis, and policy-making.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The report uncovered deep-seated racism within the police force.
- She gave a powerful speech on the damaging effects of casual racism.
American English
- The city council passed a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis.
- His comments were widely condemned as blatant racism.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Racism is wrong.
- He was a victim of racism.
- The new law aims to reduce racism in the workplace.
- Many people are fighting against racism in their communities.
- The study analyzed how institutional racism affects access to healthcare.
- The film explores the subtle forms of racism that exist in everyday life.
- Her thesis deconstructs the ideological foundations of systemic racism in post-colonial states.
- Policymakers must address not just individual acts of prejudice but the entrenched structural racism within the institution.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
RACE + ISM. Think of the 'ism' as a belief system or ideology centered on 'race'.
Conceptual Metaphor
Racism is a DISEASE / POLLUTANT (to eradicate, root out, cleanse from society). Racism is a STRUCTURE / WALL (systemic, institutional, built-in). Racism is a WEAPON / VIOLENCE (to inflict harm, perpetuate dominance).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'расизм' which is a direct cognate but may sound like a borrowed political term. The Russian 'национализм' (nationalism) or 'шовинизм' (chauvinism) are sometimes incorrectly used as equivalents; they focus more on nation/state, while 'racism' is specifically about perceived biological/social race.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'racism' to describe prejudice against any group (e.g., based on religion, nationality alone). The correct term for the latter is often 'bigotry' or 'xenophobia'. Confusing 'racism' (systemic power + prejudice) with individual 'racial prejudice'. Misspelling as 'raicism'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes 'structural racism'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern sociological usage, 'racial prejudice' refers to individual biased attitudes. 'Racism' often implies a system of power where racial prejudice is backed by institutional authority and results in the oppression of a racial group.
This is a topic of debate. In the common dictionary sense (prejudice based on race), yes. In the academic/sociological sense that defines racism as 'prejudice + power', people of colour can hold racial prejudices but may not wield the systemic power to enact 'racism' against a dominant racial group in that society. The answer depends heavily on the definition being used.
Most academics and anti-racism advocates reject the term 'reverse racism'. They argue that in societies with a history of white-dominated power structures, prejudice against white people, while hurtful, does not constitute the same systemic phenomenon and should be termed 'racial prejudice' or 'discrimination' instead.
Systemic racism refers to the ways in which racial discrimination is embedded in the laws, policies, and normal operations of a society's institutions (like criminal justice, education, housing, healthcare), leading to unequal outcomes for racial groups, regardless of individual intent.
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