Racism is a belief system or doctrine which postulates a hierarchy among various "human races" or ethnic groups, often leading to the belief of being a member of a "master race". It may be based on a conception assuming inherent biological differences between different ethnic groups, which would be purported to determine cultural or individual behavior.

Racial prejudice refers to pre-formed opinions about individuals based on their perceived racial heritage. It involves hasty generalizations about members of a group based on the perceived characteristics of one or more members of the group. Generalizations include beliefs that every member of a group has the same personality traits, interests, language, culture, ideas, norms and attitudes.

In practice, racism takes forms such as racial prejudice, segregation or subordination. Racism can more narrowly refer to a legalized system of domination of one ethnic group on another, such as in institutional racism.

Racism can be both overt and covert. Individual racism sometimes consists of overt acts by individuals, which can result in violence or the destruction of property. Institutional racism is often more covert and subtle. It often appears within the operation of established and respected forces in the society, and frequently receives less public condemnation than the overt type.

Racial discrimination contradicts the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence, the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen issued during the French Revolution and the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed after World War II, which all postulate equality between all human beings.

• 03/10/2007 10:27
  • 03/10/2007 10:27