Understanding Race

What is racism? When people use this term, they may be referring to various forms of discrimination—institutional racism, internalized racism, reverse racism and so forth. Learn to define the racism you encounter and fight against it. Taking part in demonstrations and reaching out to the powers that be when a racist episode occurs are just some ways you can be an anti-racist activist. Talking t…

Race is arguably the most divisive aspect of Western society. One’s access to quality housing, health care and education varies depending on race. Although we live in a racially stratified society, the concept of race didn’t always exist. So, what is race, what are its origins in America, and why do scientists say they have little use for this...

What is racism, really? Explore the definition of racism. Learn what internalized racism is as well as other forms of racism, such as horizontal racism and reverse racism. Examine examples of racism from the past and the present.

Race-based stereotypes and myths pose a huge threat to equality. Racial stereotypes and myths lead to prejudice and hatred, which, in turn, lead to discrimination against entire ethnic groups. The problem is that those who make up racial groups are so unique that no generalization can capture who they are. To deconstruct stereotypes, it’s...

Racism makes news headlines every day. But what about so-called reverse racism? What are some examples of this phenomenon, and what’s the best way to define it? Is reverse racism even real?

What is a stereotype? Stereotypes are qualities assigned to groups of people related to their race, nationality and sexual orientation, to name a few. Find out why stereotypes should be avoided.

Racial prejudice is a term that's used all the time, but what does it mean exactly. How does it intersect with racial stereotyping, racial profiling and institutional racism? a

What is colorism? Find out more about skin color discrimination, its origins in and outside of the United States and the impact it has had on black America and other communities of color. There’s a reason why sales of skin-whitening creams continue to soar and why the most prominent people of color tend to have light skin. The answer is colorism.

Many people continue to use the N-word, despite the slur’s ugly racial history. Find out the most common reasons N-word users give for saying the epithet and why their excuses don’t hold up.

Despite growing interest in Africa around the globe, racial stereotypes about it persist. This list of common myths about Africa aims to clear them up.

An increasing number of Americans identify as multiracial, but myths about mixed-race people persist. This list aims to break down misconceptions about multiracial identity.

How are ethnic minorities affected by racism in society? They sometimes turn racism inward, hating their own racial group as a result. This is known as internalized racism.

Ever been confused about which racial term to use to describe a certain group? Find out which racial terms are derogatory and why as well as the alternative racial names you can use instead.

What is subtle, or everyday, racism? Examples include treating people from racial minority groups differently than other groups, ignoring people of color or ridiculing them. Find out more about this disturbing but common practice.

A number of strategies exist on how to deal with racism, but one way that often proves ineffective is calling someone a racist. Using this label typically backfires because it results in defensiveness and insincere apologies, among other reasons.

Modern books for juveniles run the gamut. Vampires, aliens and mean girls commonly make appearances. Meanwhile, when one refers to juvenile books from the past, it’s not unusual to hear a crack about Dick and Jane or Spot running. But such jokes provide a limited view of youth literature from earlier time periods. In the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, authors penned a variety of books for young peop…

Understanding why the United States government decided to place Japanese Americans in internment camps during World War II requires familiarity with such issues as racism, xenophobia, wartime attitudes and 20th century history to name a few. Nothing puts these issues into context like the memoirs, novels and critical nonfiction that have been...

Great books about race didn't die out in the middle of the 20th century. Take a look at some of the groundbreaking works of multicultural literature writers have crafted from the 1990s to the present.