Racism in Global Context
Dr. Kristin Lozanski
Dept. of Sociology
King’s University College
Overview
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Definition of racism
Typologies of racism
Typologies in global context
Solutions
WHAT IS RACISM?
Definition
• “Racism is the generalized and final assigning
of value to real or imaginary differences, to
the accuser’s benefit and at his victim’s
expense, in order to justify the former’s own
privileges or aggression”
– (Alberto Memmi, 2000 [1982], p.169)
EXAMPLES OF RACISM?
Overt racism
• Public statements about inferiority
Polite racism
• Disguise dislike
through acceptable
behaviour
– “Where are you from?”
Institutionalized racism
• Policies & practices that deliberately exclude
minorities
Subliminal racism
• Unconscious racism
• Contradiction in values that
1. support racial equality; &
2. resent change to
accommodate others
Systemic racism
• Practices & procedures with the unintended
consequence of excluding minorities
Gauging prejudice: “social distance”
• I would:
– marry or accept as a close relative
– accept as a close friend
– accept as my next-door neighbour
– accept in my school or church
– accept in my community, but not have contact with
– accept as a resident of my country, but not of my
community
– not accept even as a resident of my country
Privilege
• “Privilege exists when one group has
something of value that is denied to others
simply because of the groups they belong to,
rather than because of anything they’ve done
or failed to do.” (Johnson, 2001:21)
• Symbolic
• Material
Racial Privilege
• I can talk with my mouth full and not have people
put this down to my color.
• I am never asked to speak for all the people of my
racial group.
• I can worry about racism without being seen as
self-interested or self-seeking.
• If my day, week or year is going badly, I need not
ask of each negative episode or situation whether
it had racial overtones.
Privilege in Global Context
• I can remain oblivious of the language and
customs of persons of color who constitute the
world's majority without feeling in my culture any
penalty for such oblivion.
• I can assume my colour will not draw additional
attention to me when clearing security
• I can expect to travel to the majority of countries
in the world and be treated respectfully
Overt Racism
RACISM IN GLOBAL CONTEXT
Uganda – 1972
• Idi Amin
– “The Last King of Scotland”
– Launched intranational “economic war”
• Expulsion of 80 000 Asians & seizure of property
South Africa – 1948-1994
• Apartheid – “the status of being apart”
Institutionalized Racism
RACISM IN GLOBAL CONTEXT
Canada – 1914
• Immigration Act, 1908
– Komagata Maru
Australia – 2001-2007
• “Pacific Solution”
Subliminal Racism
RACISM IN GLOBAL CONTEXT
Canada – 1985• Multiculturalism Act
USA – 2001• Security from terrorism
– 675 million people on watchlist
Systemic Racism
RACISM IN GLOBAL CONTEXT
Canada - 2010
• Changes to Investor & Entrepreneur
immigration requirements
– $800 000 to $1.6 M
– $400 000 to $800 000
• Unintentional?
SOLUTIONS?
Colour-blindness
• “I don’t see skin colour”
– Political correctness
• Colour-blindness = power-evasiveness?
Positive Stereotyping
• “Model Minority Myth” of Asians
Positive Stereotyping
• Blacks as amazing athletes
SOLUTIONS
Situating exclusion
• Complex personhood
• Intentions vs. Outcomes
• Context
– Historical
– Contemporary