Information
on Racism
Groups, as
well as individuals, differ. But there is no scientific evidence to support claims of
superiority or inferiority for these differences. Social scientists emphasize that no two
groups have exactly the same environment. As a result, many group differences are largely
the result of different environments.
Racism is widespread and has caused major
problems, even though no scientific proof supports racist claims. Claims of racial
superiority and inferiority have been used to justify discrimination, segregation,
colonialism, slavery, and sometimes genocide (mass murder). Racism is a form of prejudice.
Many people tend to consider their appearance and behavior as normal and therefore
desirable. They may distrust or fear people who look or act differently. When differences
are obvious, such as skin color or religious worship, the distrust becomes greater. Such
attitudes can lead to the belief that people who look or act differently are inferior.
Many people do not look for the same qualities in other groups that they admire in their
own. Also, they do not recognize the different but equally good qualities that members of
other groups possess.