Definition of racism Racism

/ɹejˈsɪˌzʌm/ - [reysizum] - rac•ism

We found 8 definitions of racism from 5 different sources.

What does racism mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: racism
racism - discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race
		racialism, racial discrimination
		discrimination, favoritism, favouritism unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice
racism - the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races
		prejudice, bias, preconception a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
		anti-semitism, antisemitism the intense dislike for and prejudice against Jewish people

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Wiktionary

racism (Noun)
The belief that each race has distinct and intrinsic attributes.
racism (Noun)
The belief that one race is superior to all others.
racism (Noun)
Prejudice or discrimination based upon race.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

racism
The belief that race is a primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race and inferiority of other races.

Wikipedia

Racism is a belief that some people have that says one race or ethnicity is better or worse than another. These people are called "racists". People have always split people in different groups. This split is usually done on the basis of things that can easily be seen, like the colour of the skin. This may not always be racism. It is racism to say some groups are better than the others and to discriminate other groups. Since race is something a person inherits from his or her forefathers, this can mean a belief that one person is better than another person because of who the ancestors of those people were.

Scientists usually say that different races came from groups of families living in one place for a very long time. However, all races of humans can breed with one another. Some scientists do not believe that races exist, because there is so much variation among individuals and because people from different races often share the same characteristics.

Many countries today say that differences between people are not important as far as the law goes. That means everyone has the same rights guaranteed in the constitutions of those countries.

While most groups of people have some pride in who they are, belief in racism can lead some people to treat other races badly, or try to take away their rights. Many countries in the past have had governments run by racist policies, like Japan, Nazi Germany, modern China, many United States before the civil rights movement, and South Africa d