Race and Racism: History, Contemporary Theories of Racism, Anti-Racist Movements

Literary/ Cultural Context Essay

Jason Michelakos (York University)
Download PDF Add to Bookshelf Report an Error

Resources

In the past few decades, the historiographical treatment, scientific controversies, and sociopolitical considerations of racism have been subject to much conceptual contestation. These transformations have been inspired by diverse theoretical approaches undertaken by anthropologists, cultural theorists, historians, philosophers, political scientists, sociologists, and scientific experts engaged in the examination of culture, ethnicity, and race. Among competing analytical paradigms, however, there is interdisciplinary consensus that belief in the existence of race and racial difference as a biological truth is unsubstantiated. The practice of racism is considered an ideological system of classification used to both dehumanize and oppress minorities, as well as to preserve the privileged…

3248 words

Citation: Michelakos, Jason. "Race and Racism: History, Contemporary Theories of Racism, Anti-Racist Movements". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 06 May 2015 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=19418, accessed 21 November 2024.]

19418 Race and Racism: History, Contemporary Theories of Racism, Anti-Racist Movements 2 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

Save this article

Leave Feedback

The Literary Encyclopedia is a living community of scholars. We welcome comments which will help us improve.