Race vs. Racism — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 27, 2023
"Race" refers to categories of humans based on shared physical or genetic traits, while "Racism" is discrimination or prejudice against individuals based on their race.
Difference Between Race and Racism
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Race" denotes a way of categorizing humans, typically based on physical characteristics or ancestry. "Racism," on the other hand, is a belief system or ideology that posits one race as superior or inferior to others.
While "Race" is a concept used for identification, reflecting genetic and geographical variations among humans, "Racism" is a destructive principle that fosters division and stereotypes, often resulting in unjust treatment.
The understanding of "Race" has evolved over time, with science demonstrating more genetic similarity across races than within them. Conversely, "Racism" has historic roots, where power dynamics and prejudices have exploited the concept of race to oppress certain groups.
"Race" can be a part of one's identity, encompassing cultural, historical, and biological aspects. In contrast, "Racism" diminishes and discriminates against individuals based on the very notion of race, perpetuating biases.
Discussions on "Race" can lead to a better understanding and appreciation of diversity. However, when discussions turn to "Racism," they address the challenges and prejudices faced by racialized communities.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A categorization of humans
Discrimination based on race
Nature
Neutral identification
Negative belief system
Basis
Physical/genetic traits
Prejudice and power dynamics
Function
Descriptive
Discriminative
Outcome
Recognizes human diversity
Can lead to inequality and social injustice
Compare with Definitions
Race
Categories based on physical traits.
People of different races came together for the festival.
Racism
Prejudice based on race.
Racism can lead to systemic inequalities.
Race
Designations based on geography.
Migration has impacted race classifications over time.
Racism
Belief in racial superiority.
Racism fuels harmful stereotypes and biases.
Race
A competition between runners, horses, vehicles, etc. to see which is the fastest in covering a set course
Hill started from pole position and won the race
Racism
Systemic oppression based on race.
Racism has long-lasting impacts on marginalized communities.
Race
A strong or rapid current flowing through a narrow channel in the sea or a river
Angling for tuna in turbulent tidal races
Racism
Discrimination due to race.
Laws were enacted to combat institutional racism.
Race
A water channel, especially one built to lead water to or from a point where its energy is utilized, as in a mill or mine.
Racism
Bias against a racial group.
The movie highlighted the subtle forms of racism in society.
Race
A smooth ring-shaped groove or guide in which a ball bearing or roller bearing runs.
Racism
Racism is the belief that groups of humans possess different behavioral traits corresponding to physical appearance and can be divided based on the superiority of one race over another. It may also mean prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against other people because they are of a different race or ethnicity.
Race
A fenced passageway in a stockyard through which animals pass singly for branding, loading, washing, etc.
Racism
The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
Race
(in weaving) the channel along which the shuttle moves.
Racism
Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
Race
Each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics
People of all races, colours, and creeds
Racism
The belief that there are distinct human races with inherent differences which determine their abilities, and generally that some are superior and others inferior.
Race
A ginger root.
Racism
The policies, practices, or systems (e.g. government or political) promoting this belief or promoting the dominance of one or more races over others.
Martin Luther King spoke out against racism.
Race
Compete with another or others to see who is fastest at covering a set course or achieving an objective
The vet took blood samples from the horses before they raced
Two drivers raced each other through a housing estate
Racism
Prejudice or discrimination based upon race or ethnicity; (countable) an action of such discrimination.
Race
Move or progress swiftly or at full speed
I raced into the house
She spoke automatically, while her mind raced ahead
Racism
The prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races
Race
A group of people identified as distinct from other groups because of supposed physical or genetic traits shared by the group. Most biologists and anthropologists do not recognize race as a biologically valid classification, in part because there is more genetic variation within groups than between them.
Racism
Discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race
Race
A group of people united or classified together on the basis of common history, nationality, or geographic distribution
The Celtic race.
Race
A genealogical line; a lineage.
Race
Humans considered as a group.
Race
A usually geographically isolated population of organisms that differs from other populations of the same species in certain heritable traits
An island race of birds.
Race
A breed or strain, as of domestic animals.
Race
A distinguishing or characteristic quality, such as the flavor of a wine.
Race
A competition of speed, as in running or riding.
Race
Races A series of such competitions held at a specified time on a regular course
A fan of the dog races.
Race
An extended competition in which participants struggle like runners to be the winner
The presidential race.
Race
Steady or rapid onward movement
The race of time.
Race
A strong or swift current of water.
Race
The channel of such a current.
Race
An artificial channel built to transport water and use its energy. Also called raceway.
Race
A groovelike part of a machine in which a moving part slides or rolls.
Race
See slipstream.
Race
Of or relating to race; racial
Race relations.
Race quotas.
Race
Of or relating to forms of popular entertainment made by and largely marketed to African Americans in the early 1900s
Race literature.
Race records.
Race
(Sports) To compete in a contest of speed.
Race
To move rapidly or at top speed
We raced home. My heart was racing with fear.
Race
To run too rapidly due to decreased resistance or unnecessary provision of fuel
Adjusted the idle to keep the engine from racing.
Race
To compete against in a race.
Race
To cause to compete in a race
She races horses for a living.
Race
To transport rapidly or at top speed; rush
Raced the injured motorist to the hospital.
Race
To cause (an engine with the gears disengaged, for example) to run swiftly or too swiftly.
Race
A contest between people, animals, vehicles, etc. where the goal is to be the first to reach some objective. Example: Several horses run in a horse race, and the first one to reach the finishing post wins
The race around the park was won by Johnny, who ran faster than the others.
We had a race to see who could finish the book the quickest.
Race
Swift progress; rapid motion; an instance of moving or driving at high speed.
Race
(computing) A race condition.
Race
A progressive movement toward a goal.
The race to cure cancer
Race
A fast-moving current of water, such as that which powers a mill wheel.
Race
A water channel, esp. one built to lead water to or from a point where it is utilised.
Race
Competitive action of any kind, especially when prolonged; hence, career; course of life.
Race
The bushings of a rolling element bearing which contacts the rolling elements.
Race
A group of sentient beings, particularly people, distinguished by common ancestry, heritage or characteristics:
Race
A large group of people distinguished from others on the basis of a common heritage compare ethnic group. See Wikipedia's article on historical definitions of race.
Race
A large group of people distinguished from others on the basis of common physical characteristics, such as skin color or hair type.
Race was a significant issue during apartheid in South Africa.
The Native Americans colonized the New World in several waves from Asia, and thus they are considered part of the same Mongoloid race.
Race
A large group of sentient beings distinguished from others on the basis of a common heritage compare species, subspecies.
A treaty was concluded between the race of elves and the race of men.
Race
A group or category distinguished from others on the basis of shared characteristics or qualities, for example social qualities.
The advent of the Internet has brought about a new race of entrepreneur.
Recent developments in artificial intelligence have brought about a new race of robots that can perform household chores without supervision.
Race
(biology) A population geographically separated from others of its species that develops significantly different characteristics; a mating group.
Race
(zoology) Subspecies.
Race
(animal husbandry) A breed or strain of domesticated animal.
Race
An infraspecific rank, a pathotype, pathovar, etc.
Race
(obsolete) Peculiar flavour, taste, or strength, as of wine; that quality, or assemblage of qualities, which indicates origin or kind, as in wine; hence, characteristic flavour.
Race
(obsolete) Characteristic quality or disposition.
Race
Ancestry.
Race
A rhizome or root, especially of ginger.
Race
(intransitive) To take part in a race (in the sense of a contest).
The drivers were racing around the track.
Race
(transitive) To compete against in a race (contest).
I raced him to the car, but he was there first, so he got to ride shotgun.
Race
(intransitive) To move or drive at high speed; to hurry or speed.
As soon as it was time to go home, he raced for the door.
Her heart was racing as she peered into the dimly lit room.
Race
To run rapidly when not engaged to a transmission.
Race
To assign a race to; to perceive as having a (usually specified) race.
Race
To raze.
Race
To run swiftly; to contend in a race; as, the animals raced over the ground; the ships raced from port to port.
Race
To run too fast at times, as a marine engine or screw, when the screw is lifted out of water by the action of a heavy sea.
Race
To cause to contend in a race; to drive at high speed; as, to race horses.
Race
To run a race with.
Race
A root.
Race
The descendants of a common ancestor; a family, tribe, people, or nation, believed or presumed to belong to the same stock; a lineage; a breed.
The whole race of mankind.
Whence the long race of Alban fathers come.
Race
Company; herd; breed.
For do but note a wild and wanton herd,Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,Fetching mad bounds.
Race
A variety of such fixed character that it may be propagated by seed.
Race
Peculiar flavor, taste, or strength, as of wine; that quality, or assemblage of qualities, which indicates origin or kind, as in wine; hence, characteristic flavor; smack.
Is it [the wine] of the right race ?
Race
Hence, characteristic quality or disposition.
And now I give my sensual race the rein.
Some . . . great race of fancy or judgment.
Race
A progress; a course; a movement or progression.
Race
Esp., swift progress; rapid course; a running.
The flight of many birds is swifter than the race of any beasts.
Race
Hence: The act or process of running in competition; a contest of speed in any way, as in running, riding, driving, skating, rowing, sailing; in the plural, usually, a meeting for contests in the running of horses; as, he attended the races.
The race is not to the swift.
I wield the gauntlet, and I run the race.
Race
Competitive action of any kind, especially when prolonged; hence, career; course of life.
My race of glory run, and race of shame.
Race
A strong or rapid current of water, or the channel or passage for such a current; a powerful current or heavy sea, sometimes produced by the meeting of two tides; as, the Portland Race; the Race of Alderney.
Race
The current of water that turns a water wheel, or the channel in which it flows; a mill race.
Race
A channel or guide along which a shuttle is driven back and forth, as in a loom, sewing machine, etc.
Race
Any competition;
The race for the presidency
Race
People who are believed to belong to the same genetic stock;
Some biologists doubt that there are important genetic differences between races of human beings
Race
A contest of speed;
The race is to the swift
Race
The flow of air that is driven backwards by an aircraft propeller
Race
(biology) a taxonomic group that is a division of a species; usually arises as a consequence of geographical isolation within a species
Race
A canal for a current of water
Race
Step on it;
He rushed down the hall to receive his guests
The cars raced down the street
Race
Compete in a race;
He is running the Marathon this year
Let's race and see who gets there first
Race
To work as fast as possible towards a goal, sometimes in competition with others;
We are racing to find a cure for AIDS
Race
Cause to move fast or to rush or race;
The psychologist raced the rats through a long maze
Race
Classification by ancestry.
She's proud of her mixed race heritage.
Race
Humans grouped by genetics.
Modern studies have blurred traditional race boundaries.
Race
Divisions within species.
The concept of race is complex and multifaceted.
Common Curiosities
Is the concept of race biological or social?
Race has biological roots but is largely socially constructed.
Can someone be unintentionally racist?
Yes, unintentional or subconscious racism is termed as "implicit racism."
Are there only a fixed number of races?
The classification and number of races vary across cultures and time.
How can one combat racism?
Education, awareness, and allyship are key to combating racism.
Is race purely about skin color?
No, race can encompass other physical attributes and genetic traits.
Is racism just about personal prejudice?
No, racism can be systemic, affecting structures and institutions.
Do all societies recognize the same races?
No, racial categories differ across cultures and regions.
Is race immutable?
While genetic aspects are fixed, perceptions and classifications of race can change.
What is structural racism?
It refers to societal systems that produce racial inequity, often unintentionally.
Are ethnicity and race the same?
No, while race focuses on physical traits, ethnicity encompasses cultural aspects.
How does racism manifest in society?
Racism can be overt or covert, institutional, or individual.
Is it possible to be "colorblind" to race?
True "colorblindness" is debated; recognizing race can be crucial to addressing racism.
Are all racial biases considered racism?
Not all biases are racist, but those based on racial superiority or discrimination are.
Can members of the same race experience racism?
Yes, this is termed as "intraracial racism."
Can race be self-identified?
Yes, many people self-identify their race based on personal understanding and experiences.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
