The Institutionalization of Racism

In: Race: the journal of the Institute of Race Relations, Heft 1, S. 99-106

Abstract

Social problems are to be explained only by examining race or color as part of the dialectical processes of interaction between the economic, political, & cultural forces which comprise the social structure. 3 crucial influences are noticed: the immigrant-indigenous situation, the colonial-metropolitan configuration, & the variable of color as an ascriptive criterion. It is assumed that if racist consequences accrue to institutional laws, customs, or practices, the institution is racist whether or not the individuals maintaining those practices have racist intentions. Measures were taken in 1962, 1965, & 1968 limiting & restricting the entry of people from the Commonwealth nations. The regulations are both racist & class discriminatory. Of particular note is the contradiction between the economic need for nonindigenous labor & the political necessity to appear to keep out black immigrants. Commonwealth immigration restrictions have meant that the black population in Britain is now less an integral part of the society than in the years of greatest immigration. The new provisions are a mark of failure to confront racism & will make that task more difficult. L. DeForge.