Racism vs. Discrimination — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 30, 2023
Racism is prejudice based on race, often asserting one's own race's superiority. Discrimination is treating someone unfairly due to specific characteristics, like race, gender, or age.
Difference Between Racism and Discrimination
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Racism and Discrimination, while interconnected, are distinct concepts. Racism revolves around beliefs, attitudes, and actions that denote one race as inherently superior or inferior to others. It's an ideology rooted in prejudices and stereotypes tied specifically to racial backgrounds. Discrimination, on the other hand, is a broader term that encompasses unfair treatment of individuals based on various characteristics, not limited to race.
The essence of Racism is its grounding in beliefs about race. It's an institutional and systemic mechanism perpetuating the superiority of one racial group over another. Discrimination, while related, has a wider scope. It can manifest due to prejudices against someone's gender, age, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or other attributes. Thus, while all Racism is a form of Discrimination, not all Discrimination is Racism.
To further illustrate, consider Racism as one of the subsets of Discrimination. When an employer doesn't hire someone solely based on racial prejudices, it's both Racism and Discrimination. However, when an older candidate is rejected purely based on age, it's Discrimination but not Racism.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Prejudice based on race.
Unfair treatment based on specific characteristics.
Scope
Specific to race.
Broader, includes race, gender, age, etc.
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Rooted In
Beliefs about racial superiority/inferiority.
Biases against certain characteristics.
Examples
White supremacy, ethnic stereotypes.
Ageism, sexism, homophobia.
Manifestation
Racial slurs, ethnic prejudices.
Job denial due to age, gender-based pay gap.
Compare with Definitions
Racism
A belief in the inherent superiority of one race over others.
His comments were criticized for promoting Racism.
Discrimination
Prejudices leading to unfair distinctions.
She felt Discrimination due to her religious beliefs.
Racism
Prejudice or discrimination based solely on race.
She experienced Racism when she was unfairly targeted.
Discrimination
The denial of rights based on specific attributes.
Gender Discrimination is a pressing concern worldwide.
Racism
Systemic oppression of a racial group.
Structural Racism limits opportunities for certain communities.
Discrimination
Behavior favoring one group over another unjustly.
His Discrimination towards non-locals was evident.
Racism
Intolerance towards people of different races.
Racism often stems from ignorance and fear.
Discrimination
Unjust treatment based on distinct characteristics.
Discrimination in the workplace can hinder growth.
Racism
Social practices that perpetuate racial inequality.
The housing policy was criticized for its Racism.
Discrimination
Discrimination is the act of making unjustified distinctions between human beings based on the groups, classes, or other categories to which they are perceived to belong. People may be discriminated on the basis of race, gender, age, religion, or sexual orientation, as well as other categories.
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.
Discrimination
The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex
Victims of racial discrimination
Discrimination against homosexuals
Racism
The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
Discrimination
Recognition and understanding of the difference between one thing and another
Discrimination between right and wrong
Young children have difficulties in making fine discriminations
Racism
Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
Discrimination
The selection of a signal having a required characteristic, such as frequency or amplitude, by means of a discriminator.
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.
Discrimination
The act of discriminating.
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.
Discrimination
The ability or power to see or make fine distinctions; discernment.
Racism
Prejudice or discrimination based upon race or ethnicity; (countable) an action of such discrimination.
Discrimination
Treatment or consideration based on class or category, such as race or gender, rather than individual merit; partiality or prejudice.
Racism
The prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races
Discrimination
Discernment, the act of discriminating, discerning, distinguishing, noting or perceiving differences between things, with the intent to understand rightly and make correct decisions.
Racism
Discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race
Discrimination
Differential treatment of an individual or group to their disadvantage; treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit; partiality; prejudice; bigotry.
Sexual or racial discrimination
Reverse discrimination
Discrimination
(uncountable) The quality of being discriminating; acute discernment, especially in matters of good taste.
Discrimination
That which discriminates; a distinguishing mark, a characteristic.
Discrimination
The act of discriminating, distinguishing, or noting and marking differences.
To make an anxious discrimination between the miracle absolute and providential.
Discrimination
The state of being discriminated, distinguished, or set apart.
Discrimination
The arbitrary imposition of unequal tariffs for substantially the same service.
A difference in rates, not based upon any corresponding difference in cost, constitutes a case of discrimination.
Discrimination
The quality of being discriminating; faculty of nicely distinguishing; acute discernment; as, to show great discrimination in the choice of means.
Discrimination
That which discriminates; mark of distinction.
Discrimination
Unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice
Discrimination
The cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished
Discrimination
Biased actions against individuals or groups.
The policy was seen as Discrimination against the elderly.
Common Curiosities
Is all Discrimination racist?
No, Discrimination can be based on many factors; Racism is specific to race.
What's the difference between racial Discrimination and Racism?
Racial Discrimination is biased treatment based on race; Racism is the underlying belief or attitude.
Can Racism be institutional?
Yes, Racism can be systemic and manifest in institutions, policies, or laws.
Can Discrimination be unintentional?
Yes, Discrimination can be both intentional and unintentional, stemming from implicit biases.
Does Racism only target minorities?
While often the case, Racism can target any racial group, majority or minority.
Is age-based bias considered Racism?
No, that's age Discrimination, not Racism.
Are stereotypes always a form of Racism?
Racial stereotypes contribute to Racism, but not all stereotypes are racially based.
Can institutions actively fight Discrimination?
Absolutely, through policies, education, and promoting inclusivity.
Can an individual experience multiple forms of Discrimination?
Yes, for instance, a person can face both gender and racial Discrimination.
Can positive stereotypes be a form of Discrimination?
Yes, even positive stereotypes can pigeonhole and limit individuals, leading to Discrimination.
Is Racism only about color?
No, Racism can be based on ethnicity, nationality, or culture, not just skin color.
Are prejudice and Racism the same?
Prejudice is a biased attitude, while Racism is acting on racial prejudices.
Why is understanding the difference between Racism and Discrimination important?
Recognizing the differences helps address specific issues more effectively.
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Written by
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.
