Ethics Archives

Race Is a Social Construct, Not a Biological Fact

Did you know race is a social construct? How does this work and how do we know that race is a social construct? Race is a social construct because there is no biological justification for differentiating between races. So, how is race a social construct? The physical differences do not, on their own, create any meaningful differences between people, but we’ve created difference based on race in our society. Read on to better understand why race is a social construct.

Overt Racism Isn’t the Only Problem

What is overt racism? How does it differ from subtle racism? Overt racism is an action that is outwardly and explicitly discriminatory on the basis of race. In White Fragility, subtle racism is pointed out as being at the root because people don’t think of their complicity in it. Read on to better understand overt racism and subtle racism.

Origins of Racism: Do We Know How it Started?

What are the origins of racism? Do we understand where race-based discrimination started? The origins of racism require understanding when the idea of race came to be. The way modern society thinks of race is a concept that started in the 16th century and it was used to rationalize killing indigenous people and kidnapping black Africans. Read on to better understand the origins of racism and race.

Jim Crow Laws: Housing and Financial Penalties

What is the relationship between Jim Crow laws and housing? How do Jim Crow laws’ housing penalties further the racial divide? Under Jim Crow laws, housing penalties increase the impact of mass incarceration. Without access to public housing, there is a greater risk of recidivism. Read more about Jim Crow laws, housing penalties, and other financial penalties.

Structural Racism: The Harm of Systemic Inequality

How do you define structural racism? What are some structural racism examples? The structural racism definition is a type of race-based discrimination that is inherent in the structures of society. It is not in the individual interactions but in the overall societal norms. Read on to better understand how to define structural racism.

Racist Talk: The Subtle Ways You Perpetuate Racism

What is racist talk? Is it just using racist expletives or something more? Racist talk can come even from people who believe they are not racist. It is the subtle way euphemisms are used to cover up the racist undertones. Read on to understand racist talk as discussed in White Fragility.

Police Biases: The Implicit Unfairness in the System

Are there police biases? How do they relate to mass incarceration? Police biases are the implicit or overt actions that unfairly impact one group. In The New Jim Crow, the book explains that police biases are part of a system that encourages mass incarceration. Read on to understand the role and impact of police biases.

Problems With White Fragility: Playing the Victim

Why is white fragility bad? What are the problems with white fragility? White fragility is the focus on one’s own lack of culpability rather than seeing you’re playing a role in racism. The problems with white fragility are all related to the perpetuation or defense of racism. Read on to see the problems with white fragility.

Racism in Court: Biases That Can’t Be Challenged

Is there racism in the court system? How do biases in the courtroom contribute to the problem of mass incarceration? Racism in the court includes implicit and explicit race-based biases in all steps of the legal system. From a racial bias in jury selection to racial sentencing disparities, biases in the courtroom disadvantage certain groups. Read on to understand racism in the court system and how it fits into the New Jim Crow system.

Police Searches: Rules Enabling Mass Incarceration

What happens during police searches? What are the racial differences in police searches? In The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander discusses the changes in rules for police searches. The result is race-based differences that support mass incarceration. Read on to better understand the role of police searches in mass incarceration, as discussed by The New Jim Crow.