Bigot vs. Racist — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 23, 2023
A bigot is someone who is intolerant of those with different opinions, beliefs, or characteristics they don't share. A racist is someone who believes that some races are inherently superior or inferior to others, leading to discrimination.
Difference Between Bigot and Racist
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Key Differences
A bigot is an individual who harbors an unwavering belief in the superiority of their own opinions, beliefs, or characteristics, often manifesting as intolerance or hatred toward people who are different. On the other hand, a racist is someone who believes in the inherent superiority or inferiority of races, and this belief often translates into discriminatory behavior or practices against people based on their racial background.
Both bigotry and racism are forms of prejudice, but they are not the same. Bigotry is a broader term that can encompass a wide range of prejudices, including but not limited to race, religion, nationality, or even lifestyle choices. Racism is specifically directed towards prejudices based on race and often involves systemic or institutional elements in addition to personal beliefs.
It's possible for someone to be a bigot but not a racist. For example, a person may discriminate against others based on their political beliefs but have no racial prejudices. Conversely, a racist is inherently a bigot because racial prejudice is a form of bigotry, albeit a very specific one.
Both terms are social constructs that can have significant impacts on marginalized communities. Bigotry can marginalize people based on multiple facets of their identity, whereas racism particularly marginalizes people based on their racial or ethnic background. Discrimination, whether stemming from bigotry or racism, can lead to numerous social, economic, and psychological repercussions for those who are targeted.
Comparison Chart
Targets
Various characteristics (e.g., religion, nationality, politics)
Specifically race
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Belief
Superiority of own opinions or characteristics
Inherent superiority or inferiority of races
Forms
Individual or systemic
Often involves systemic elements
Manifestation
Intolerance, discrimination
Discrimination, often institutional
Scope
Broader
More specific
Compare with Definitions
Bigot
A bigot is someone intolerant of opinions different from their own.
The man was a bigot who wouldn't listen to any political views other than his own.
Racist
Racism can be individual or institutional.
She was fighting against the racist policies in her workplace.
Bigot
A bigot may or may not be racist.
Although not racist, she was a bigot when it came to different social classes.
Racist
A racist may support systemic discrimination against certain races.
His racist views were reflected in his support for discriminatory laws.
Bigot
Bigotry can manifest in various forms including hatred and discrimination.
His bigotry was evident when he refused to hire people of a different faith.
Racist
A racist believes some races are inherently superior or inferior.
The man was a racist who thought his race was superior to all others.
Bigot
A bigot discriminates against people based on various characteristics.
She was a bigot who didn't like anyone who wasn't from her country.
Racist
Racism often involves discriminatory behavior.
Her racist tendencies were evident when she mistreated her colleagues based on their race.
Bigot
A bigot believes in the superiority of their own group.
The individual's belief in the absolute superiority of his religion made him a bigot.
Racist
All racists are bigots, but not all bigots are racist.
His racist beliefs about ethnic superiority also made him a bigot.
Bigot
One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.
Racist
The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
Bigot
One who is narrow-mindedly devoted to their own ideas and groups, and intolerant of (people of) differing ideas, races, genders, religions, politics, etc.
Racist
Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
Bigot
(obsolete) One who is overly pious in matters of religion, often hypocritically or else superstitiously so.
Racist
A person who believes in or supports racism; a person who believes that a particular race is superior to others, and who discriminates against other races.
Bigot
A hypocrite; esp., a superstitious hypocrite.
Racist
Constituting, exhibiting, advocating, or pertaining to racism.
Bigot
A person who regards his own faith and views in matters of religion as unquestionably right, and any belief or opinion opposed to or differing from them as unreasonable or wicked. In an extended sense, a person who is intolerant of opinions which conflict with his own, as in politics or morals; one obstinately and blindly devoted to his own church, party, belief, or opinion.
To doubt, where bigots had been content to wonder and believe.
Racist
A person with a prejudiced belief that one race is superior to others
Bigot
Bigoted.
In a country more bigot than ours.
Racist
Based on racial intolerance;
Racist remarks
Bigot
A prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own
Racist
Discriminatory especially on the basis of race or religion
Common Curiosities
What is a Bigot?
A bigot is someone intolerant toward those with differing opinions or characteristics.
Can a person be a Racist but not a Bigot?
No, a racist is inherently a bigot because racial discrimination is a form of bigotry.
Can a person be a Bigot but not a Racist?
Yes, a person can be intolerant of various characteristics or beliefs without being specifically racist.
What is a Racist?
A racist is someone who believes in the inherent superiority or inferiority of different races.
Is Racism always systemic?
No, racism can be individual or systemic, but it often has systemic elements.
Can Bigotry be directed towards religion?
Yes, bigotry can be directed towards various characteristics, including religion.
Is Racism a form of prejudice?
Yes, racism is a form of prejudice specifically directed towards race.
Can Bigotry lead to discrimination?
Yes, bigotry often manifests as discrimination against those with differing opinions or characteristics.
Can Racism lead to discrimination?
Yes, racism often leads to discrimination based on racial or ethnic backgrounds.
Is Bigotry broader than Racism?
Yes, bigotry can encompass prejudices based on various characteristics, while racism is specific to race.
Is Bigotry a form of prejudice?
Yes, bigotry is a form of prejudice directed towards various characteristics.
What are the social impacts of Bigotry and Racism?
Both bigotry and racism can lead to discrimination, marginalization, and a range of social, economic, and psychological repercussions.
Can Racism be directed towards religion?
No, racism specifically targets racial and ethnic backgrounds, not religion.
Are the terms Bigot and Racist interchangeable?
No, while all racists are bigots, not all bigots are racist.
Can Bigotry be systemic?
Yes, bigotry can manifest in systemic forms, such as laws that discriminate against certain groups.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
