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