AFTER WORKING THROUGH THIS MODULE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

• Define “race”, “racism” and related terms in ways that are consistent with racial equity advocates’ use of these terms.
• Compare these definitions to the ways that these terms are colloquially used.

INTRODUCTION

To work effectively toward racial equity across systems and organizations, we need to share a common understanding of concepts that are foundational to this work. However, seemingly straightforward terms like “race” and “racism” can be defined very differently from one context to another. In this module, we will develop a shared understanding of concepts that are central to racial equity work.

WATCH

In Module 2 (History of Race and Racism), we explored the history of race as a concept in the United States. Watch this brief video from Vox to review the historical evolution of this term.

INTERACT

For each term below, spend a few minutes defining the term. Search engines are tempting, but please try not to use them for this activity – come up with your own definition. After you define each term, click the arrow to see our definition.

Nice work. The graphic below summarizes our definitions for each of these terms; keep this image up as we move to the next section of this module.

Now, let’s put these six terms together to create a shared understanding of racism.

Racism is:

• a system of advantage based on race;
• a system of oppression based on race;
• social and institutional power PLUS racial prejudice.

Racism is NOT:

• racial prejudice, hatred, or discrimination.

Let’s unpack this definition, because this conception of racism may be different from the ways you have heard the term used in other contexts. Racial equity advocates define racism as a system – a set of things that work together for a common purpose or with a common outcome. Remember from our definition of “system” above that once established, a system does not require planning or initiative of individual people. Because inequity and differential treatment are embedded in the social, economic, and political systems of our country and therefore seen as “normal,” systemic racism would exist even if racial prejudice and racial hatred were completely eliminated.

Racism is both a system of advantage (for whites) and a system of oppression (for BIPOC). The system was created to concentrate social and institutional power among those designated as “white,” and to exclude all others from receiving these benefits. Again, because these systems are self-perpetuating, differential outcomes according to race will continue to be produced by them regardless of the action or inaction of individual people within the system, unless and until the system itself is changed.

Finally, racism is more than mere prejudice, hatred, or discrimination based on race. As we noted above, no one is completely free of prejudice, and it is certainly possible for a person of color to have negative prejudices toward white people. What elevates racial prejudice to racism, however, is the social and institutional power that allows one group to carry out systematic discrimination using the major institutions of society. Because, in the United States, these institutions were created and are still largely controlled by white people, racism refers specifically to a system that advantages whiteness and oppresses people of color and Indigenous people.

WATCH

Another set of terms that are frequently confused is race, ethnicity, and nationality. For example, does “Latino” refer to race, ethnicity, or national origin? Watch the two videos below to explore the differences between these terms.

First, watch this quick overview from the Western Justice Center that explains the differences between race, ethnicity, and nationality using jellybeans.

Next, explore this issue in more depth with the Sociology Crash Course video “Race & Ethnicity,” in which host Nicole Sweeney provides an excellent, research-grounded overview of the past, present, and potential future uses of these terms.

REFLECT

We have defined the term “racism” today in a way that is consistent with how scholars, activists, and others working toward racial equity across systems use this term. However, it’s important to acknowledge that not everyone shares this definition of racism. Over the next week, take note of any time you hear or see the word “racism” used in conversation, on the news, in readings, etc. Are people using this term in a way that is consistent with our definition? If not, how are they using the term and what are the potential consequences of using the word in that way?

Be prepared to discuss your observations at your cohort’s next meeting, if applicable.

BUT WAIT!

In this section, we address common questions and concerns related to the material presented in each module. You may have these questions yourself, or someone you’re sharing this information with might raise them. We recommend that for each question below, you spend a few minutes thinking about your own response before clicking “Show more” to see our response.