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Racism Essay | Essay on Racism for Students and Children in English

February 14, 2024 by Prasanna

Racism Essay: Racism can be defined as the belief that individual races of people have distinctive cultural features that are determined by the hereditary factors and hence make some races inherently superior to the others. The idea that one race has natural superiority than the others created abusive behaviour towards the members of other races. Racism, like discrimination towards women, is a form of discrimination and prejudice.

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Long and Short Essays on Racism for Students and Kids in English

We are providing children and students with essay samples on an extended essay of 500 words and a short piece of 150 words on the topic “Racism” for reference.

Long Essay on Racism 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Racism is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Racism is the illogical belief that a particular race has distinctive cultural traits endowed due to the genetic factors that make individual races inherently superior to the others and give them the right to exploit the inferior races. When we openly state the meaning of racism, we can see how inexplicable and unimaginable, such a thought is. But, racism is so deep-seated in our consciousness and subconsciousness that we have long bowed down to such infuriating ideals.

Such instances of subtle racism within a society are rampant and lead to inexcusable behaviour of people towards others. Such unjustifiable behaviour and actions are things like mental stress, social harassment, and even physical assaults. Since we have let racist comments and activities unnoticed, it is left untreated and leads to more division and anger between the two different people of different backgrounds. It is a never-ending, vicious cycle and a massive crisis in today’s world.

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We should never judge others for the way they look for the way they speak. All people are born equal, and nothing can change that. Narrow-minded thoughts like racism should have extinguished with the increase in educated people and the intermixing of various races. Still, sadly, such behaviour is the blatant reality and shows no signs of toning down.

Racism makes people feel sorry for being born a certain way, of having a particular skin colour. Racism has no scientific explanation, and the racist people are entirely ignorant about the feelings of other human beings.

No one can choose to be black, white, dark, fair, or anything in particular. God has made us, and there is nothing that should make us feel guilty for that. It is ridiculous and inhumane to make fun of people due to their cultural background or colour of skin.

We keep talking about how modern society embraces diverse cultures and diverse people. We try to accomplish gigantic things like World Peace, eradicate hunger and poverty, but we are not ready to unite to make such changes happen.

Racism is a barrier between the social advancement of our society. It is impossible to achieve something great with such narrow-minded and exclusive ideals. It is a delicate topic and requires people to have an open mind and embrace the changes.

It is possible to eradicate racism in our society if we are more open about such sensitive topics and give simple matters like this a thought. Most of us are way too self-centred to think about such obstacles. It is so commonplace a behaviour that we forget its adverse effects. It is high time we made a change.

Since racism is such a deep-seated belief, we will need some time to change. But, we can achieve anything if we put our mind to it. We do not need racism to divide us. People should acknowledge the fact that to achieve anything significant. We need to let go of narrow-minded beliefs. Only then can we advance as a society of the world.

Short Essay on Racism 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Racism is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Racism is the prejudiced belief of people that a particular race is superior to others. The idea has resulted from years of neglection and oppression on some races for their traits and skin colour. Racism is a critical social barrier, which prevents our society from advancing.

Racism is a type of discrimination which makes the recipient feel bad about where they were born and how they look. It is an unscientific method of judging people.

Racism is so deep-seated in our culture that we think it to be the norm. The need to eradicate racism has come to highlight after a series of violent activities against people for their race.

We, as a society, need to let go of this narrow-minded thought that some people are inferior to others only because of what their skin colour is. Racism can only be removed by spreading awareness and correcting people when they make a racist comment. Together, we can fight against racism. Let us unite and eradicate racism once and for all.

10 Lines on Racism Essay in English

1. Racism is the wrong belief that some people are better and superior to others due to their genetic trait corresponding to their skin colour and race. 2. It refers to the thought that inherent physical appearance has a link with personality and intelligence. 3. Many corrupt people use racism as an excuse to justify horrific behaviour towards others. 4. The beginning of racism is somewhat unclear but might have originated when migration began. 5. People think that passing casual comments that link people’s work with their ethnicity is a joke. 6. Racism comes in several forms like symbolic, ideological, structural, interactional, etc. 7. Ideas and assumptions about racial categories dictate the behaviour of some people towards others. 8. Racism is a baseless and unscientific method of judging people. 9. Racism is a discriminatory process of thinking which is unacceptable. 10. We must correct people and not let casual racist comments pass when we hear them.

FAQ’s on Racism Essay

Question 1. What is racism?

Answer: Racism is hate towards people simply because of their differences. It is the enemy of freedom and should be washed away from society. Racism continues to grow alongside the technological advancements and education.

Question 2. Why do people pass racist comments?

Answer: Many people are unaware of their discriminatory behaviour towards their neighbours or peers due to apparent differences in their race. We have become so used to facing racism that we deem it as normal behaviour and let go of it.

Question 3. Why should we try to wipe out racism?

Answer: Racism is the barrier between the modernization of our society. There is no place for such unjustifiable behaviour in our community.

Question 4. What are the types of racism?

Answer: There are seven forms of racism. Some of them are symbolic, ideological, discursive, interactional, institutional, structural, and systemic racism.

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11.4 Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism

It is important to learn about stereotypes before discussing the terms prejudice, discrimination, and racism that are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation. Stereotypes are oversimplified generalizations about groups of people. Stereotypes can be based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation—almost any characteristic. They may be positive (usually about one’s own group) but are often negative (usually toward other groups, such as when members of a dominant racial group suggest that a subordinate racial group is stupid or lazy). In either case, the stereotype is a generalization that doesn’t take individual differences into account.

Where do stereotypes come from? In fact, new stereotypes are rarely created; rather, they are recycled from subordinate groups that have integrated into dominant society and are reused to describe newly subordinate groups. For example, many stereotypes that are currently used to characterize new immigrants were used earlier in American history to characterize Irish and Eastern European immigrants.

11.4.1 Prejudice

Prejudice refers to the beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and attitudes someone holds about a group. A prejudice is not based on personal experience; instead, it is a prejudgment, originating outside actual experience. Recall from Chapter 7 that the criminalization of marijuana was based on anti-immigrant sentiment; proponents used fictional, fear-instilling stories and rampant immoral and illegal activities to justify new laws and harsh treatment of marijuana users. Many people who supported criminalizing marijuana had never met any of the new immigrants who were rumored to use it; the ideas were based in prejudice.

While prejudice is based in beliefs outside of experience, experience can lead people to feel that their prejudice is confirmed or justified. This is a type of confirmation bias. For example, if someone is taught to believe that a certain ethnic group has negative attributes, every negative act committed by someone in that group can be seen as confirming the prejudice. Even a minor social offense committed by a member of the ethnic group, like crossing the street outside the crosswalk or talking too loudly on a bus, could confirm the prejudice.

Prejudice—as well as the stereotypes that lead to it and the discrimination that stems from it—is most often taught and learned. The teaching arrives in many forms, from direct instruction or indoctrination, to observation and socialization. Movies, books, charismatic speakers, and even a desire to impress others can all support the development of prejudices.

11.4.2 Discrimination

While prejudice refers to biased thinking, discrimination consists of actions against a group of people. Discrimination can be based on race, ethnicity, age, religion, health, and other categories. For example, discrimination based on race or ethnicity can take many forms, from unfair housing practices such as redlining to biased hiring systems. Overt discrimination has long been part of United States history. In the late nineteenth century, it was not uncommon for business owners to hang signs that read, “Help Wanted: No Irish Need Apply.” And southern Jim Crow laws, with their “Whites Only” signs, exemplified overt discrimination that is not tolerated today.

Discrimination also manifests in different ways. The scenarios above are examples of individual discrimination, but other types exist. Institutional discrimination occurs when a societal system has developed with embedded disenfranchisement of a group, such as the U.S. military’s historical nonacceptance of minority sexualities. For example, the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy (1993–2011) reflected this norm.

11.4.2.1 Intersection of Prejudice and Discrimination

Prejudice and discrimination can overlap and intersect in many ways. To illustrate, here are four examples of how prejudice and discrimination can occur:

• Unprejudiced nondiscriminators are open-minded, tolerant, and accepting individuals.
• Unprejudiced discriminators might be those who unthinkingly practice sexism in their workplace by not considering women or gender nonconforming people for certain positions that have traditionally been held by men.
• Prejudiced nondiscriminators are those who hold racist beliefs but don’t act on them, such as a racist store owner who serves minority customers.
• Prejudiced discriminators include those who actively make disparaging remarks about others or who perpetuate hate crimes.

11.4.3 Racism

Racism is a type of prejudice and discrimination used to justify inequalities against individuals by maintaining that one racial category is somehow superior or inferior to others; it is a set of practices used by a racial dominant group to maximize advantages for itself by disadvantaging racial minority groups. Such practices have affected wealth accumulation, employment, housing discrimination, government surveillance, incarceration, drug arrests, immigration arrests, infant mortality, and much more (Race Forward 2021).

Broadly, individuals belonging to minority groups experience both individual racism and systemic racism during their lifetime. While reading the following common forms of racism, ask yourself, “Am I a part of this racism?” or “How can I contribute to stopping racism?”:

• Individual or interpersonal racism: Prejudice and discrimination executed by individuals consciously and unconsciously that occurs between individuals.
• Systemic racism: Also called structural racism or institutional racism , this involves systems and structures that have procedures or processes that disadvantages racial minority groups.
• Racial profiling : This type of systemic racism involves the singling out of racial minorities for differential treatment, usually harsher treatment.
• Historical racism: Economic inequality or social disparity caused by past racism.
• Cultural racism: The assumption of inferiority of one or more races is built into the culture of the subordinate group.
• Colorism: A form of racism in which someone believes one type of skin tone is superior or inferior to another within a racial group.

In the next section, “Pedagogical Element: Myths of Racism” you will learn more about the myths surrounding racism that serve to preserve this type of prejudice and discrimination. Take a moment to read through each fallacy, or mistaken belief before answering the question for discussion.

11.4.4 Activity: Myths of Racism

Sociologists Matthew Desmond and Mustafa Emirbayer (2009) identify five common misconceptions about racism in the United States:

• Individualistic fallacy: A person assumes that racism is a byproduct of the ideas and prejudices a “racist individual” has about a group (342).
• Legal fallacy: A person assumes removing racist laws eliminates racism in practice.
• Tokenistic fallacy: A person assumes that having a few people of color in influential positions means that there are no longer racial obstacles.
• Ahistorical fallacy: A person overlooks the way that racial discrimination created blocked opportunities that continue to effect people today.
• Fixed fallacy: A person tends to view racism as something that does not change, instead of acknowledging the ways that racism is experienced and embodied changes over time.

These 5 myths show that racism is more than racial violence. Rather than focusing on questions like “Has racism increased or decreased in the past decade?” Desmond and Emirbaryer suggest it is more useful to understand how racism has changed over generations (2009: 344). Keep this approach in mind as you participate in the question for discussion

Question for discussion : After getting familiar with these five myths of racism, identify examples of each from media, pop culture, and your lived experience.

11.4.5 Structural Racism and Antiracism

A common definition of racism is racial prejudice plus power equals racism . In other words, racist ideas, which can be conscious or unconscious, can inspire interpersonal hostility, but personal or institutional power is required for racist actions to occur. Historian Ibram X Kendi describes racism as, “A marriage of racist policies and racist ideas that produce and sustain racial inequity.” Racist ideas or racial prejudice are ideas that one race is superior or inferior to another. Structural racism describes the social structures that emerge from racist policies and practices (Kendi 2017). You have an opportunity to learn more about Kendi’s approach in the next section, “Pedagogical Element: Understanding Antiracism.”

Where do racist ideas come from? Why do racist ideas exist? Put in more functionalist terms, what do racist ideas do? According to Kendi, racist ideas normalize and justify racial inequity. For example, if we ask why people who are black get arrested at a higher rate than people who are white, derogatory racist ideas about black people can do the work of making inequity seem regrettable but understandable. When we ask why people who are black are killed by police at a higher rate than people who are white, racist ideas can keep us from seeing the humanity and vulnerability of people who are black. Racist ideas are available to fill in the blank when the answer is, “It happens because ____. “

Structural and systemic racism can be identified by the presence of racial inequity. Racial inequity shows up as either disproportionality or as disparities. Disproportionality is the overrepresentation or underrepresentation of a racial or ethnic group compared with its percentage in the total population. Disparities are unequal outcomes of one racial or ethnic group compared with outcomes for another racial or ethnic group. For example, when people who are black are killed by Portland police 3.9 times more than people who are white, we recognize outcome disparities. Similarly, since Portland police arrest people who are black at a rate 4.3 higher than people who are white, we can say that people who are black are over-represented in Portland jails, and can confidently conclude that policing in Portland is dealing with issues of systemic racism .

This structural definition of racism does a good job of helping us understand how conscious or unconscious racist ideas can normalize institutions and social systems that impact racialized populations in uneven and harmful ways. Because those inequities are racially defined, we can say that the institution or system is racist. Once constructed, racist systems and institutions can continue to impact people unevenly, even if the people who currently hold power do not share all of the same founding racist ideas, (Bonilla-Silva 2014). Understanding the structural and systemic dimensions of racism help us understand how persistent racist policies, procedures and systems can sustain racial inequity, even as racist ideas begin to recede, or at least change.

11.4.6 Activity: Understanding Antiracism

Let’s take a closer look at the concept “antiracism.” Antiracism refers to an active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies, and practices and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably. Learn more about what it means to be antiracist from Dr. Kendi in Dr. Ibram X. Kendi: Creating A More Equitable Society Is In White Americans’ Self Interest [YouTube Video]

Figure 11.2 Stephen Colbert interviewing Ibram X. Kendi in Dr. Ibram X. Kendi: Creating A More Equitable Society Is In White Americans’ Self Interest [YouTube Video]

Be sure to come back and answer these questions:

• What does it mean to be antiracist?
• Why is being antiracist in the interest of white folks?

11.4.7 Licenses and Attributions for Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism

“Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism” from “11.3 Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism” by Tonja R. Conerly, Kathleen Holmes, Asha Lal Tamang in Openstax Sociology 3e , which is licensed under CC BY 4.0 . Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/11-3-prejudice-discrimination-and-racism ; edited for consistency, clarity, and brevity.

“Pedagogical Element: Myths of Racism” by Jennifer Puentes is licensed under CC BY 4.0 .

“Structural Racism and Antiracism” by Nora Karena is licensed under CC BY 4.0 .

“Pedagogical Element: Understanding Antiracism” and figure 11.2 screenshot image and video is adapted from Dr. Ibram X. Kendi: Creating A More Equitable Society Is In White Americans’ Self Interest [YouTube] by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert . License Terms: Standard YouTube license.

Antiracism definition from NAC International Perspectives: Women and Global Solidarity

All other content in this section is original content by Jennifer Puentes is licensed under CC BY 4.0 .

Sociology in Everyday Life Copyright © by Matt Gougherty and Jennifer Puentes. All Rights Reserved.

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Racism: A Cause and Effect Essay Sample

Talking about the widespread topic of racism, there is a need to involve an official word that is referred to in many essays. It states: Racism is the process by which systems, policies, and attitudes create inequitable opportunities and outcomes for people based on race. Racism is more than just prejudice in thought or action. It occurs when it – whether individual or institutional – is accompanied by the power to discriminate against, oppress, or limit the civil rights of others.

The essence of racism is in the interpretation of differences as natural, as well as in establishing the connection between difference and domination. Racism first interprets differences as “natural” and then links them to existing relations of domination. Groups that are higher than others in the hierarchy are thereby “natural” right of superiority. Describing racism with the help of the cause and effect of racism essay is a brilliant idea. Get sure of it yourself by reading further!

If you need more in-deep research on a similar subject, feel free to use Edusson’s professional custom essay writing help . Racism is a scourge that has been present in societies around the world since antiquity, and it is still present today. Despite many efforts to eradicate it, its effects still remain, which is why it is necessary to understand the cause and effects of racism in order to combat it. This can help you with homework if you’re writing a racism cause and effect essay, as understanding the causes of racism can help you determine the most effective solutions for its eradication.

Cause and Effect of Racism

The phenomenon of modern racism is neither a recent invention of history nor purely European and was actively developing in the United States. As a form of xenophobia, racism has been inherent in people since ancient times. Racism has its own forms in different countries because of specific features: historical, cultural, and other factors. Use this cause and effect essay writing example to get information through the essays on how slavery causes racism, and racial discrimination in general: what causes racism, the effects of racism, and how African-Americans lives were neglected throughout history.

Cause 1 – Xenophobia

The leading cause of racism as a phenomenon is stated to be xenophobia. This topic is greatly researched in related books or different scientific essays and works. Racism is, to a large extent, xenophobia based on the visible difference in appearance. As a type of xenophobia, racism is an irrational but natural reaction of people to the foreign and unknown. However, racism is by no means exhausted by xenophobia alone. The level of rejection and intolerance in society directly depends on the development of a particular country. In the most developed countries, where the intellectual level of the population allows rejecting stupid superstitions about the differences between people, xenophobic attitudes are separate cases and take place as an exception.

Cause 2 – Straightforward Conclusions

Another cause of racial inequality is the destructive ability of many people to jump to quick conclusions, especially judging others because of their appearance, apparel, speech, and other visible traits. Mainly, it intensifies that because of the media representations of races, creating specific racial beliefs. Such cliches aren’t always harmful, like how Asian people are stereotyped as intelligent. But in the minds of undereducated people, quick judgments can play a bad thing and significantly influence how people are perceived.

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Cause 3 – Keeping the Status Quo

Keeping the status quo means, in simple words, the desire to keep the peace, avoid conflicts and clashes, and maintain law and order. Research from viral essays shows that when people believe in racial ideas, e.g., that blacks are inherently more violent and dangerous – they aren’t disturbed by police brutality or mass incarceration. “Keeping the peace” becomes more important than justice and equality.

Cause 4 – Media Impact

How modern media (TV, music industry, cinematography, etc.) describes race has a big influence on society’s race perception. As far as the media shows us our culture from an exaggerated point of view, it keeps racial stereotypes alive and well and therefore fuels racism. Racism cases appear in the media in a very subtle manner, without negative intent, but unfortunately, work the opposite. The most common thing for American society in this matter is representing a black person as a perpetrator of violent crimes or giving examples of stories related to theft and poverty. Such generalizations have a bad influence on society, as the perception of specific circles of people is formed according to the wrong representation.

Cause 5 – Blaming Others for Our Problems

Last but not least, the subjective reason for racism is that we blame others for our problems. When individuals feel mad or miserable, they often want to shift the problem to someone else’s shoulders and blame anyone but them for their problems. As a society, we act the same. Members of each race who look or behave differently from us are easy targets. You should have heard phrases like ‘Mexicans take all our workplaces’. This statement is absolutely false, though it sounds like a perfect justification for those who cannot find a job for a while and feel anger which translates to insecure people.

Writing essays on such a topic is challenging and demands a good understanding of a problem and statement of thought. If you like the structure of this article, check other cause and effect essay ideas to develop the skill of writing qualitative essays. The main part – the effects of racism – is ahead. Keep reading!

Racism and Its Effects

Racism and its effects can appear in different ways. There are many essays by the victims, who were either facing racism on a daily basis or had a frightening experience once in a lifetime. We have highlighted 5 effects of racism.

Physical Impacts of Racism

The physical threat is among the worst effects of racism. If an individual ever becomes a victim of racist aggression, he could have serious physical injuries that can end up with a disability, which in fact, is a common thing. This is a superior case of all the spectrum of racial issues today, because views, roles in society, or simply belonging to different races cannot be the causes of racism.

Effect on Mental Health

As we can see from the previous paragraph, racism can have a deeply no good effect on people’s mental health and health commonly. Experiencing discrimination can lead to feelings of humiliation when others make you feel like you are less worthy. Racism can sabotage people’s dignity, forcing them to adjust their usual behavior to the norms of another group of people who consider themselves better or higher. Such effects of racism lead from infrequent situations to changing whole daily routines ( for example, bypassing particular places or skipping activities, being afraid of leaving the house or traveling alone, changing clothes, etc. ). It can also lead to other emotional impacts such as distress, PTSD, insomnia, depression, fear, a sense of isolation, and a lack of trust in people.

When a person gets into a stressful situation, his body prepares to respond. The heart begins to beat faster, blood pressure rises, and breathing quickens as the body releases stress hormones. It is a natural way of preparing the body to deal with stress. But when a stressor, such as structural racism, never goes away, the body can remain in that tense state.

Social Consequences of Racism

Handling racism can lead to feeling inferior, isolated, of less worth, and even having questions about own existence in this world. Such an effect of racism – having less trust in other people – explains the reasons why African-Americans feel so insecure in any social circle where some whites belong too. So, if a person faces repeated harassment in any form, like skin color racism in schools, it can affect their social circles and add more challenges to it. Such an issue can prevent us from building a circle of friends or settling down for a family. Other effects of racism are institutional racism (where all of the ongoing advantages are given to white people) and housing discrimination can also create obstacles to free and healthy life in society.

Effect on Economy and Personal Finances

Discrimination has financial consequences too. It has been proved that people encountering racism tend to face obstacles to employment, fair payment levels, and discrimination when trying to access housing or financial help, especially with a child today. The same thing with discrimination from landlords and an issue with transportation. Many people who can be discriminated against by any visual sign tend to avoid public places or take walks to get places due to frequent incidents in transport, which affect their financial status too. Racial discrimination hurts those it affects. It also costs money. A recent study estimated the economic influence of racism at nearly $2 trillion a year in the United States alone.

How Does Racism Affect Families, Communities, and Society?

Racial belief can have a no good influence not only on a person who directly experienced it but also on his family, the community, or even the whole world. Racism cases lead to anxiety and stress spreading through the community every day, especially when there is no good response from the leaders or local people. And sometimes, even governmental structures stop defending the civil rights of African Americans in favor of other time-consuming questions. As a result, people in communities that have gotten used to being held together can become isolated and torn apart. Such a break of social bounds can more likely lead to criminal actions than racial differences.

To understand the white American racial theories, there should be solid essays review on the topic. And even after that, you will probably decide on the side of equal rights of all people independently on any features.

Racism has become one of the most burning social issues of our time, so it’s often the topic of discussion in educational institutions. As a result, more and more students have to write a college essay on racism, exploring its causes and effects. One of the most common sources of racism is a lack of understanding and communication between different cultural groups. To tackle this, it’s essential to have someone write a college essay that covers different perspectives on racism and helps to bridge the gap between different cultures and ethnic groups. To do this, many students find essay writers for hire to ensure their paper is well-written and engaging. Writing an essay about racism can be difficult, as there are many sensitive topics to address. It is important to be mindful when writing a racism cause and effect essay, as the writer must acknowledge all sides of the argument.

European Convention on Human Rights states: ‘The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in the Convention shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, color, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or another status.’ and these words seem to be right.

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What's the Difference Between Prejudice and Racism?

How Sociology Explains the Two and Their Differences

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Though they're often used interchangeably, prejudice and discrimination are two distinct concepts that represent different aspects of bias and unfair treatment.

Racism involves one group having the authority to enforce systematic discrimination (or unequal treatment of different groups) through societal institutions and policies, or by influencing cultural beliefs and values that uphold racist practices. On the other hand, prejudice is a typically negative attitude held by one individual or group toward another group and its members—often based on unfounded generalizations or stereotypes. While related, racism encompasses not only the attitudes fostered by prejudice but also the systemic nature of discriminatory practices and policies.

Why Understanding Racism and Prejudice Matters

Americans are still vastly divided when it comes to recognizing whether society overlooks racial discrimination, with nearly 90% of Black Americans believing it is a bigger problem than society seeing racism where it doesn't exist, compared to 45% of White Americans. Understanding the distinction between racism and prejudice is crucial because it enables people to understand the interplay between individual biases and systemic inequalities, thereby making more effective strategies to combat racism possible.

What Is Prejudice?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines prejudice as "an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge,” and this resonates with how sociologists understand the term. Quite simply, it is a pre-judgment that one makes of another that is not rooted in their own experience. For example, from a  sociological standpoint , the "dumb blonde" stereotype and the jokes that reproduce it can be considered a form of prejudice.

While we typically think of prejudice as a negative view toward another group, prejudices can be negative or positive (i.e. when people hold positive stereotypes about members of other groups). Some prejudices are racial in nature and have racist outcomes, but not all forms of prejudice do, and this is another reason why it's important to understand the difference between prejudice and racism.

An Example of Prejudice

Jack explained that as a blond person of German descent, he experienced pain in his life due to the prejudice aimed at blond people. But are the negative consequences of prejudice the same for Jack as those who are called other racial slurs? Not quite, and sociology can help us understand why.

While calling someone a "dumb blonde" could very well result in feelings of frustration, irritation, discomfort, or even anger for the person targeted by the insult, there is no research to suggest that hair color affects one’s access to rights and resources in society, like college admission, the ability to buy a home in a particular neighborhood, access to employment, or the likelihood that one will be stopped by the police. This form of prejudice, most often manifested in bad jokes, may have some negative impact, but it is unlikely to have the same kinds of systemic negative impacts that racism does.

What Is Racism?

Race scholars  Howard Winant and Michael Omi  define racism  as a way of representing or describing race that “creates or reproduces structures of domination based on essentialist categories of race.” In other words, racism results in an unequal distribution of power based on race. Because of this, using racial slurs does not simply signal prejudice. Rather, it reflects and reproduces an unjust hierarchy of racial categories that negatively impact the life chances of people of color, as is the case with slurs popularized by White Americans during the era of African enslavement.

Using offensive terms encapsulates a wide swath of disturbing racial prejudices . The wide-sweeping and deeply detrimental implications of this term and the prejudices it reflects and reproduces make it vastly different from suggesting that people with blond hair are dumb. For example, the "n-word" was used historically, and is still used today, to perpetuate systemic inequalities based on race. This makes the use of this term racist, and not simply prejudiced, as defined by sociologists.

The Consequences of Systemic Racism

Racist behaviors and beliefs—even when they are subconscious or semi-conscious—fuel structural inequalities of race that plague society. The racial prejudices encapsulated in racial slurs are manifested in the disproportionate policing, arrest, and incarceration of Black men and boys  (and increasingly Black women); in racial discrimination in hiring practices; in the disproportionate lack of media and police attention devoted to crimes against Black people; and, in the lack of economic investment in predominantly Black neighborhoods and cities, among many other problems that result from  systemic racism .

While many forms of prejudice are troubling, not all forms of it are equally consequential. Those that beget structural inequalities, like prejudices based on gender, sexuality, race, nationality, and religion, for example, are very different from others.

Key Takeaways: The Difference Between Prejudice and Racism

• Prejudice refers to a preconceived idea about a particular group, while racism involves an unequal distribution of power based on race.
• Sociologists have found that racism has led to a wide range of detrimental outcomes for people of color, including unequal access to jobs and housing, as well as an increased risk of being a victim of police brutality.
• According to the sociological perspective, members of privileged groups can experience prejudice, but their experience will be different than the experience of someone who experiences systemic racism.

Mcleod, Juanita. “ Understanding Racial Terms and Differences .” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 11 Mar. 2021.

" Americans are divided on whether society overlooks racial discrimination or sees it where it doesn’t exist ." Pew Research Center, 25 Aug. 2023.

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150+ Racism Essay Topics: Comprehensive Guide for Students

Table of contents

• 1.1 Key Elements of an Effective Racism Essay
• 2 Choose the Perfect Racism Essay Topic
• 3 Historical Racism Essay Topics
• 4 Contemporary Issues in Racism
• 5 Analytical Approaches to Racism Essays
• 6 Argumentative Racism Essay Topics
• 7 The Impact of Racism in Various Sectors
• 8 Racism in Education
• 9 Racism in the Workplace
• 10 Racism in Healthcare
• 11 Tips for Crafting an Effective Racism Essay

Writing about racism can be challenging, but it is an important and impactful way to address a critical issue in society. This guide will help you choose compelling topics and craft essays that effectively communicate your arguments and insights.

Why Write About Racism?

Writing about racism is crucial because it addresses a persistent societal issue. Racism limits opportunities, fosters inequality, incites violence and creates social divides. Discussing this topic raises awareness, encourages self-reflection, and promotes empathy and understanding across different racial and ethnic groups.

Additionally, exploring racism helps:

• Understand its historical roots
• Dismantle harmful stereotypes
• Examine intersections with sexism, classism, and more

Writing about racism is not just academic; it educates, advocates, and drives social change.

Key Elements of an Effective Racism Essay

Choose the perfect racism essay topic.

The PapersOwl team has compiled a comprehensive list of topics to help you write an impactful essay on racism. These topics cover various aspects of racism, from historical roots to contemporary issues. Whether you need to explore the psychological effects of experiencing racism or examine the role of literature in addressing racial issues, this list offers a wide range of options. For more diverse writing ideas, you might also want to explore our opinion essay topics .

• The historical roots of racism in the United States
• How does institutional racism affect the education system?
• The impact of media representation on racial stereotypes
• How do hate crimes correlate with racism?
• What are the psychological effects of experiencing racism?
• The role of activism in combating racism
• How do immigration policies reflect racial biases?
• The influence of social media on racial attitudes
• Why do racial prejudices persist in modern society?
• How does economic inequality relate to racial discrimination?
• The effectiveness of diversity programs in workplaces
• How does racism manifest in the criminal justice system?
• The role of literature in addressing racism
• How does cultural appropriation affect racial relations?
• The effects of racism on mental health
• How do schools address issues of racial inequality?
• The impact of historical events on contemporary racism.
• How do different countries tackle the issue of racism?
• The relationship between race and identity.
• How can community programs reduce racial tensions?

Historical Racism Essay Topics

• The impact of slavery on American society
• How did the Jim Crow laws enforce racial segregation
• The role of Native Americans in early American conflicts
• The consequences of the Civil Rights Movement
• How did forced labor shape the economies of the Southern states
• The history of anti-blackness in American history
• The effects of colonialism on racial relations
• How did the abolitionist movement influence American history
• The role of black people in the American Revolution
• How did World War II impact racial dynamics in the United States
• The history of racial bias in the American legal system
• How did the Emancipation Proclamation change the lives of former slaves
• The impact of the Harlem Renaissance on racial identity
• 14 The significance of the Reconstruction era in US history
• How did the transatlantic slave trade affect global economies
• The role of women in the fight against racial discrimination
• The impact of historical immigration policies on racial diversity
• How did segregation in schools affect educational outcomes for black students
• The influence of historical literature on racial attitudes
• How did early American politics shape racial biases

Contemporary Issues in Racism

• What is the impact of structural racism on modern society
• How do African Americans experience racism in daily life
• In what ways does the Supreme Court address racial discrimination
• What are the effects of police brutality on community trust
• How can education and awareness combat racism
• To what extent does social media influence racial tensions
• How do immigration policies affect other ethnic groups
• What is the role of activism in the fight against racism
• How does economic inequality perpetuate racial disparities
• What is the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion programs
• How does racial profiling affect minority communities
• What is the relationship between racism and mental health
• How does media representation influence public perceptions of race
• In what ways does housing discrimination impact urban development
• How can workplace policies address racial bias
• What role do schools play in promoting racial equality
• How does environmental racism affect minority communities
• How do healthcare disparities reflect broader societal racism
• What influence does political rhetoric have on racial attitudes
• What are the challenges of achieving racial justice in a multicultural society

Analytical Approaches to Racism Essays

• How do race and racism intersect in contemporary society
• What is the significance of Black History Month in addressing racial issues
• How does less access to resources perpetuate racial disparities
• What does new research reveal about the causes of racism
• How does white supremacy manifest in modern institutions
• What impact did George Floyd’s death have on the racial justice movement
• What strategies are effective to end racism
• How can we understand and address racist behavior
• What are the root causes of racial inequities
• How does media portrayal of race influence public perception
• What role does education play in reducing racial prejudices
• How do economic factors contribute to systemic racism
• What are the psychological impacts of experiencing racism
• How does cultural representation affect racial identity
• What is the historical context of racial segregation policies
• How do laws and policies address racial discrimination
• What are the health implications of racial disparities
• How does socialization shape racial attitudes
• What impact do grassroots movements have on racial equality
• How do international perspectives on racism compare to those in the U.S.?

Argumentative Racism Essay Topics

• Should the Supreme Court play a more active role in combating racism
• How does racism affect children’s development and opportunities
• Are certain ethnicities more susceptible to systemic prejudice
• Should cultural practices be protected when they perpetuate racial biases
• Can the idea of colorblindness in society effectively reduce racism
• Should educational curriculums include more on the intersection of race and gender
• Is it possible for members of marginalized groups to hold racist views
• How do gender and race intersect to create unique forms of discrimination
• Should laws mandate diversity training to reduce workplace prejudice
• How does media representation of different ethnicities influence societal attitudes
• Can cross-cultural exchanges help mitigate racial prejudices
• Should schools teach children about the history and effects of racism
• Is it ethical to impose quotas for minority representation in institutions
• How do cultural norms perpetuate racial stereotypes
• Should hate speech be more heavily regulated to combat racism
• Can affirmative action effectively address racial inequities
• Is the concept of race scientifically valid or a social construct
• Should governments implement stricter penalties for racially motivated crimes
• Can community policing reduce racial tensions and improve trust
• Should cultural sensitivity be a mandatory part of professional training programs

The Impact of Racism in Various Sectors

• How does racism affect healthcare access and quality
• What is the impact of racial bias in the criminal justice system
• How do racial disparities manifest in educational outcomes
• What are the effects of racism on employment opportunities
• How does racial discrimination influence housing policies
• What is the role of racism in environmental justice issues
• How does racism affect mental health services and treatment
• What impact does racial prejudice have on political representation
• How do racial biases shape media and entertainment industries
• What are the consequences of racism in the tech industry
• How does racism affect immigration policies and practices
• What is the impact of racism on sports and athlete representation
• How do racial inequalities influence public transportation access
• What role does racism play in the allocation of social services
• How does racism affect consumer behavior and marketing strategies
• What are the impacts of racial bias in scientific research and academia
• How do racial prejudices influence the legal profession
• What is the effect of racism on financial services and banking
• How does racism impact the nonprofit and charitable sector
• What are the consequences of racism in the military and defense industries

Racism in Education

• How do racial biases affect student performance
• What impact does school segregation have on educational equality
• How does curriculum content perpetuate racial stereotypes
• What role do teachers’ attitudes play in racial disparities in education
• How do disciplinary practices in schools reflect racial biases
• What are the effects of underfunding schools in minority communities
• How does access to advanced courses differ by race
• What impact does racism have on college admissions processes
• How do racial biases affect students’ mental health in educational settings
• What role does racism play in the underrepresentation of minority faculty

Racism in the Workplace

• How does racial discrimination affect hiring practices
• What impact does workplace diversity training have on reducing racism
• How do racial biases influence promotion opportunities
• What are the effects of racism on employee morale and productivity
• How does racial discrimination manifest in workplace policies
• What role do corporate cultures play in perpetuating racial biases
• How do wage gaps reflect racial disparities
• What impact does racism have on workplace harassment and bullying
• How does racial prejudice affect job performance evaluations
• What are the legal implications of racial discrimination in the workplace

Racism in Healthcare

• How do racial biases affect patient treatment and outcomes
• What impact does racism have on access to healthcare services
• How does racial discrimination influence medical research and studies
• What role do healthcare providers’ attitudes play in racial disparities
• How do socioeconomic factors intersect with race to affect health
• What are the effects of racism on mental health care access
• How does racial bias manifest in maternal and infant healthcare
• What impact does racism have on the doctor-patient relationship
• How do public health policies reflect racial inequalities
• What are the consequences of racism in the training of healthcare professionals

Tips for Crafting an Effective Racism Essay

Writing an essay on racism can be challenging due to the emotional and sensitive nature of the topic. However, by following these tips, you can craft a thoughtful essay that will engage your readers and present a well-supported argument.

• Start with a Strong Thesis Statement

Begin your essay with a clear and debatable thesis statement. This central argument will guide the direction of your essay and provide a foundation for your discussion. For example, your thesis could be: “Systemic racism is a significant barrier to equality in the United States.”

• Conduct Thorough Research

Ensure that your essay is well-researched by consulting a variety of credible sources. Use data, expert analysis, case studies, and historical facts to support your argument. This not only strengthens your essay but also helps to present a balanced view of the topic.

• Show, Don’t Just Tell

Instead of simply stating that racism exists, show it through real-life examples and historical context. Use vivid descriptions and factual evidence to illustrate the impact of racism. This approach helps to make your argument more convincing and relatable to the reader.

• Anticipate Counterarguments

Consider the perspectives of those who might disagree with your argument. Address these counterarguments thoughtfully and respectfully, providing evidence to refute them. This demonstrates that you have considered multiple viewpoints and strengthens your overall argument.

• Personalize Your Argument

Incorporate personal anecdotes or stories to give a human dimension to your essay. Sharing personal experiences or narratives of those affected by racism can make your argument more compelling and emotionally resonant.

• Use Authoritative Sources

When citing facts and statistics, ensure that you reference authoritative sources. This includes academic journals, reputable news outlets, and respected experts in the field. Accurate citations enhance the credibility of your essay.

• Craft a Logical Structure

Organize your essay with a clear and logical structure. Typically, this includes an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should focus on a single point that supports your thesis and transition smoothly to the next.

• Avoid Emotional Language

While it’s important to convey the emotional impact of racism, avoid using overly emotional or inflammatory language. Strive for a balanced tone that presents your argument objectively, making it more likely to resonate with a broader audience.

• End with a Strong Conclusion

Conclude your essay by reinforcing your thesis and summarizing your key points. Include a call to action or a thought-provoking statement that encourages the reader to consider the implications of your argument and reflect on their views.

• Edit and Revise

Lastly, thoroughly edit and revise your essay. Check for clarity, coherence, and grammatical correctness. Consider seeking feedback from peers or instructors to refine your argument and improve the overall quality of your writing.

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