| Racism
The term 'race' is an artificial construct used to classify people on the basis of supposedly shared physical and genetic characteristics. The language of race arose with the scientific revolution which sought scientific explanations for social behaviour. It involved the desire to classify people objectively in order to prove the inherent inferiority of some and the superiority of others. Hitler’s classification of the superior Aryan race and the inferior Jewish race is an example of extreme usage of false racial categories. The use of race legitimised the practice of eugenics, specifically designed to rid society of inferior races.
What is racism?
Racism involves a series of attitudes and actions which violates rights, devalues group members and discriminates against people on account of their race. It is expressed in the conduct of individuals and institutions and is influenced by a range of historical, social, political, cultural and economic factors.
In Australia, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1998) defines racism as:
Racism is an ideology that gives expression to myths about other racial and ethnic groups, that devalues and renders inferior those groups, that reflects and is perpetuated by deeply rooted historical, social, cultural and power inequalities in society.
Manifestations of racism
Racism is manifested in a myriad of different ways. While it exists in every country around the globe, the form in which it comes is different across countries, cultures and history. Racism can be explicit and unequivocal or it can be more indirect, penetrating the central values that underpin a society.
Racism can take the form of violence, discrimination and oppression, racial harassment or racial hatred (vilification). Racism is often expressed through conduct, both in the actions of individuals and in the policies and practices of institutions. Some examples of racism in action include ridicule, property damage, physical assault, racial harassment and vilification. It also includes practices that exploit or exclude members of particular groups, while extreme examples of racist behaviour may include ethnic cleansing or genocide.
Racial Discrimination against Jews takes the form of antisemitism. This is the case although the Jewish people are not a race in any meaningful use of the term. Jews come in every shape and size. There are white Jews – some of whom are European while others are Mediterranean. There are also Asian Jews and black Jews. Some identify themselves as Jews because of religious practice, others by cultural affiliation. The social, religious and cultural practices of Jews are diverse and not based on race.
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Antisemitism 