reverse racism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

This is the core of the debate. Many scholars of racism define it as prejudice plus systemic power. By this definition, 'reverse racism' cannot exist against a dominant group, though individual prejudice can. Others use the term more broadly to mean any racial discrimination.

It is most prevalent in political rhetoric, media commentary (especially conservative media), and online debates, particularly in the United States. It is less common in formal academic sociology, where more precise terminology is preferred.

'Prejudice' refers to preconceived negative judgments about individuals based on their group membership. 'Reverse racism' is a specific claim that such prejudice, when directed at a historically dominant group, constitutes a form of racism equivalent to that experienced by minority groups—a claim heavily disputed based on analyses of systemic power.

This is a primary context for the term's use. Critics of such policies may label them as 'reverse racism'. Supporters argue they are corrective measures for historical and systemic inequities, not racism, and are designed to promote equity rather than discriminate.

A controversial term describing alleged discrimination or prejudice by minority or historically oppressed groups against a dominant or majority group, often based on race.

Reverse racism is usually formal; primarily academic, socio-political, media/journalistic. in register.

Reverse racism: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈvɜːs ˈreɪsɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈvɜːrs ˈreɪsɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.