Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Can racism ever be justifiable?
Position1 of 2

No, racism cannot be justified

This position holds that racism can never be justified. It distinguishes unavoidable unconscious bias from the deliberate act of justifying prejudice — which it says only entrenches racial hierarchy — and contends that racism, as structural power, is often mistaken for individual discrimination.

Supporting arguments · 2

  1. People mistake racism for discrimination
    Racism is understood as "prejudice plus institutional power". These two elements work together to enable and socially/legally legitimize racism.
  2. Whilst we must accept that bias is inevitable, trying to justify our prejudices is just another way of upholding white supremacy