racism

[rey-siz-uh m] /ˈreɪ sɪz əm/
noun
1.
a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2.
a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3.
hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Origin
1865-70; < French racisme. See race2, -ism
Related forms
racist, noun, adjective
antiracism, noun
Examples from the web for racism
  • Types of bias ethnic or racial bias, including racism, nationalism.
  • It is also foolish to deny that racism enters into his fiction.
  • Ethnic or racial racism, nationalism, regionalism and tribalism.
  • Opponents of bilingual education are sometimes accused of racism and xenophobia.
British Dictionary definitions for racism

racism

/ˈreɪsɪzəm/
noun
1.
the belief that races have distinctive cultural characteristics determined by hereditary factors and that this endows some races with an intrinsic superiority over others
2.
abusive or aggressive behaviour towards members of another race on the basis of such a belief
Derived Forms
racist, racialist, noun, adjective
Word Origin and History for racism
n.

1936; see racist.

racism in Culture

racism definition


The belief that some races are inherently superior (physically, intellectually, or culturally) to others and therefore have a right to dominate them. In the United States, racism, particularly by whites against blacks, has created profound racial tension and conflict in virtually all aspects of American society. Until the breakthroughs achieved by the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, white domination over blacks was institutionalized and supported in all branches and levels of government, by denying blacks their civil rights and opportunities to participate in political, economic, and social communities.