Reverse racism

For a definition of the term "reverse racism", see the Wiktionary entry reverse racism.

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Reverse racism, sometimes referred to as reverse discrimination,[1] is the concept that affirmative action and similar color-conscious programs for redressing racial inequality are forms of anti-white racism.[2] The concept is often associated with conservative social movements,[2][3] and reflects a belief that social and economic gains by Black people and other people of color cause disadvantages for white people.[4][5][6]

Belief in reverse racism is widespread in the United States; however, there is little to no empirical evidence that white Americans as a group are disadvantaged.[Note 1] Racial and ethnic minorities generally lack the power to damage the interests of whites, who remain the dominant group in the U.S.[7] Claims of reverse racism tend to ignore such disparities in the exercise of power and authority, which most scholars argue constitute an essential component of racism.[8][1][9][3]

Allegations of reverse racism by opponents of affirmative action began to emerge in the 1970s,[2][10] and have formed part of a racial backlash against social gains by people of color.[11] While the U.S. dominates the debate over the issue, the concept of reverse racism has been used internationally to some extent wherever white supremacy has diminished, such as in post-apartheid South Africa.[4]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Yee 2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Ansell p135 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Garner 2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Ansell (2013), p. 137.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Mazzocco p91 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Roussell 2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Dennis 2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Drustrup, David; Liu, William Ming; Rigg, Thomas; Davis, Katelynn (July 30, 2022). "Investigating the white racial equilibrium and the power-maintenance of whiteness". Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy. 22 (3): 961–988. doi:10.1111/asap.12321. [W]e acknowledge that most scholars within critical race theory, psychology, and sociology include notions of power in their definition of racism [references elided], noting that the unequal allocation of resources favors white people over people of Color and is sustained by the economic, political, social, and cultural control that whites have in this society [reference elided]. This means that only the dominant group (i.e., whites in U.S. society) can enforce prejudiced and discriminatory laws, behavior, and cultural ideologies onto the minoritized group (i.e., people of Color).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cashmore 2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bonilla-Silva p211 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Ansell (2013), pp. 17, 137.


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