What Is Racism?

In: Telos, Heft 114, S. 11-48

Abstract

Considers the proper definition of racism, drawing on the secondary literature. It is suggested that there is not one definition of racism, but two. There is a racism that seeks to absolutize the Other in a way that prevents one group from having anything to do with another group. Another kind of racism absolutizes the Same, & in the name of the Same, destroys the Other's difference or denies that there is an Other. Both forms of racism are taken to have a similar result: the eradication of difference. However, neither is brought into being by a fear of difference. Rather, both forms of racism are produced by a feeling of the disintegration of identities, which leads to the re-creation of these identities in pathological ways. In this context, antiracism should struggle to protect difference. This can be achieved by learning to respect difference, opening dialogue across different social groups, & developing strategies that foster interethnic relations. D. Ryfe