persuasive essay about racial discrimination

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40+ Argumentative Essay Topics on Racism Worth Exploring

by  Antony W

April 21, 2023

The first step to write an essay on racism is to select the right topic to explore.

You then have to take a stance based on your research and use evidence to defend your position.

Even in a sensitive issue of racial discrimination, you have to consider the counterarguments highly likely to arise and address them accordingly. 

The goal of this list post is to give you some topic ideas that you can consider and explore.   We’ve put together 30+ topic ideas, so it should be easy to find an interesting issue to explore.

What is Racism?  

Racism is the conviction that we can credit capacities and qualities to individuals based on their race, color, ethnicity, or national origin. It can take the form of prejudice, hatred, and discrimination, and it can happen in any place and at any time.

Racism goes beyond the act of harassment and abuse. It stretches further to violence, intimidation, and exclusion from important group activities.

This act of judgment, prejudice, and discrimination easily reveal itself in the way we interact with people and our attitude towards them.

Some forms of racism , like looking at a person’s place of origin through a list of job applications, may not be obvious, but they play a part in preventing people or particular group from enjoying the dignity and equality of the benefits of life simply because they are different.

Argumentative Essay Topics on Racism  

• Is racism a type of mental illness in the modern society?
• Barrack Obama’s legacy hasn’t helped to improve the situation of racism in the United States of America
• The women’s movement of the 1960s did NOT unite black and white women
• Will racism eventually disappear on its own?
• Is there a cure for racism?
• There’s no sufficient evidence to prove that Mexicans are racists
• Is the difference in skin color the cause of racism in the western world?
• Racism isn’t in everyone’s heart
• Racism is a toxic global disease
• Will the human race ever overcome racial prejudice and discrimination?
• Can a racist be equally cruel?
• Should racism be a criminal offense punishable by death without the possibility of parole?
• Are racists more principled than those who are not?
• Can poor upbringing cause a person to become a racist?
• Is it a crime if you’re a racist?
• Can racism lead to another World War?
• The government can’t stop people from being racists
• Cultural diversity can cure racism
• All racists in the world have psychological problems and therefore need medical attention
• Can the government put effective measures in place to stop its citizens from promoting racism?
• Can a racist president rule a country better than a president who is not a racist?
• Should white and black people have equal rights?
• Can cultural diversity breed racism?
• Is racism a bigger threat to the human race?
• Racism is common among adults than it is among children
• Should white people enjoy more human rights than black people should?
• Is the disparity in the healthcare system a form of racial discrimination?
• Racial discrimination is a common thing in the United States of America
• Film industries should be regulated to help mitigate racism
• Disney movies should be banned for promoting racism
• Should schools teach students to stand against racism?
• Should parents punish their children for manifesting racist traits?
• Is racism the root of all evil?
• Can dialogue resolve the issue of racism?
• Is the seed of racism sown in our children during childhood?
• Do anti-racist movements help to unite people of different colors and race to fight racism?
• Do religious doctrines promote racism?
• There are no psychological health risks associated with racism
• Can movements such as Black Lives Matter stop racism in America?
• Do anti-racist movements help people to improve their self-esteem?
• Racism is against religious beliefs
• Can teaching children to treat each other equally help to promote an anti-racist world?

We understand that racism is such a controversial topic. However, it’s equally an interesting area to explore. If you wish to write an essay on racism but you have no idea where to start, you can pay for argumentative essay from Help for Assessment to do some custom writing for you.

If you hire Help for Assessment, our team will choose the most suitable topic based on your preference. In addition to conducting extensive research, we’ll choose a stance we can defend, and use strong evidence to demonstrate why your view on the subject is right. Get up to 15% discount here .

Is it Easy to Write an Argumentative Essay on Racism?

Racism is traumatic and a bad idea, and there must never be an excuse for it.

As controversial as the issue is, you can write an essay that explores this aspect and bring out a clear picture on why racism is such a bad idea altogether.

With that said, here’s a list of some argumentative essay topics on racism that you might want to consider for your next essay assignment.

How to Make Your Argumentative Essay on Racism Great 

The following are some useful writing tips that you can use to make your argumentative essay on racism stand out:

Examine the Historical Causes of Racism 

Try to dig deeper into the topic of racism by looking at historical causes of racial discrimination and prejudices.

Look at a number of credible sources to explore the connection between racism and salve trade, social developments, and politics.

Include these highlights in your essay to demonstrate that you researched widely on the topic before making your conclusion.

Demonstrate Critical Thinking 

Go the extra mile and talk about the things you believe people often leave out when writing argumentative essays on racism.

Consider why racial discrimination and prejudices are common in the society, their negative effects, and who benefits the most from racial policies.

Adding such information not only shows your instructor that you did your research but also understand the topic better.

Show the Relationship between Racism and Social Issues 

There’s no denying that racism has a strong connection with many types of social issues, including homophobia, slavery, and sexism.

Including these links, where necessary, and explaining them in details can make your essay more comprehensive and therefore worth reading.

related resources

• Argumentative Essay Topics on Medicine
• Argumentative Essay Topics About Animals
• Music Argumentative Essay Topics
• Social Media Argumentative Essay Topics
• Technology Argumentative Essay Topics

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

Speech: “We must be united to end racism as well as gender inequality”

Date: Wednesday, 17 June 2020

[As delivered]

Madam President, distinguished delegates,

UN Women believes that women are part of their lived experiences. These experiences impact on who they become, as well as on their families. These experiences may be religious, racial, cultural, or related to sexual orientation.

The Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent have highlighted that girls and women of African Descent are likely to be poorer, to be less educated and to have fewer opportunities everywhere in the world.

We are now seeing an outpouring of solidarity, with people protesting in the streets against systemic and brutal racism.

We need to fight against racism, too, in our own institutions and everywhere in the world; because only if we are united, we will build back together after COVID-19.

In fighting apartheid, it took people of the world also to be in solidarity and to fight together and help to end apartheid.

This time has come again. We must be united to end racism as well as gender inequality in the world.

• ‘One Woman’ – The UN Women song
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Racism - List of Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

It is difficult to imagine a more painful topic than racism. Violation of civil rights based on race, racial injustice, and discrimination against African American people are just a small part of issues related to racial inequality in the United States. Such a topical issue was also displayed in the context of school and college education, as students are often asked to write informative and research essays about racial discrimination.

The work on this paper is highly challenging as a student is supposed to study various cruel examples of bad attitudes and consider social questions. One should develop a topic sentence alongside the titles, outline, conclusion for essay on racism. The easiest way is to consult racism essay topics and ideas on our web. Also, we provide an example of a free college essay on racism in America for you to get acquainted with the problem.

Moreover, a hint to writing an excellent essay is good hooks considering the problem. You can find ideas for the thesis statement about racism that may help broaden your comprehension of the theme. It’s crucial to study persuasive and argumentative essay examples about racism in society, as it may help you to compose your paper.

Racism is closer than we think. Unfortunately, this awful social disease is also common for all levels and systems in the US. A student can develop a research paper about systemic racism with the help of the prompts we provide in this section.

Racism in Pop Culture

Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, both names are familiar and quite popular in Hollywood and on television. An emerging actor John Boyega whose name may not be widely known nevertheless impressed the audience with his character Finn from Star Wars. But as popular as these movie actors are, the movie that they all starred in The Circle did not sit well with the audience. In addition to the movie's low rating on film review sites and its abrupt ending that left […]

Appeal to Ethos, Logos and Pathos Racism

Abraham Lincoln once said, Achievement has no color."", but is that really true? In many cases of racism, people have been suppressed and kept from being able to contribute to the society. Racism is a blight and a hindrance to our development. Imagine the many things we could do if people could set aside differences and cooperate meaningfully. Sadly that is not the case. In reality, people are put down because of their heritage and genetics. By no means is […]

Professions for Women by Virginia Woolf

Have you ever asked yourself why people assume something of others by looks? In the chapter, Professions for Women written in 1931 by Virginia Woolf, who talks about her life and the difference she tried to make for all women in that period. She wanted her audience who were professional women to be able to figure out on their own what her story was about. Woolf talks about how she was unmasked and confused as she makes her readers understand […]

We will write an essay sample crafted to your needs.

Racism in Movie “42”

The movie I chose for this assignment is 42 starring Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford. The movie is about Jackie Robinson, a baseball player who broke the color barrier when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. One of the topics we covered in this course was racism. For my generation it is hard to understand how pervasive racism used to be in society. I have three cousins that have a black father. Many of my friends are from different races and […]

Racism and the U.S. Criminal Justice System

Introduction The primary purpose of this report is to explore racism issues in the United States justice system and addressing the solutions to the problem affecting the judicial society. Racism entails social practices that give merits explicitly solely to members of certain racial groups. Racism is attributed to three main aspects such as; personal predisposition, ideologies, and cultural racism, which promotes policies and practices that deepen racial discrimination. Institutional racism is also rife in the US justice system. This entails […]

About Black Lives Matter Movement

The fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution are inherent for all. There is no question that all people (blacks, Latinos, Indians, or white) were created free and equal with certain inalienable rights. This is a universally accepted principle. Segregation and racism against minorities in this country have been widely discussed, and prominent figures have taken a stand asking people to join in the fight for equality. This stand addresses the significance of black lives. However, contrasting opinions on […]

Structural Racism in U.S. Medical Care System Doctor-Patient Relationship

US history is littered with instances of racism and it has creeped into not only social, political, and economic structures of society, but also the US healthcare system. Racism is the belief that one race is superior over others, which leads to discrimination and prejudice against people based on their race or ethnicity (Romano). Centuries of racism in the United States' social structures has led to institutionalized or systemic racism”policies and behaviors adapted into our social, economic, and political systems […]

Slavery and Racism in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is absolutely relating a message to readers about the ills of slavery but this is a complex matter. On the one hand, the only truly good and reliable character is Jim who, a slave, is subhuman. Also, twain wrote this book after slavery had been abolished, therefore, the fact that is significant. There are still several traces of some degree of racism in the novel, including the use of the n word and his tendency […]

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest James Gaines

The author of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Ernest J. Gaines, is a male African American author who has taken full advantage of his culture by writing about rural Louisiana. His stories mainly tell the struggles of blacks trying to make a living in racist and discriminating lands. Many of his stories are based on his own family experiences. In Ernest J. Gaines’ novel, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, four themes that are displayed are the nature of […]

History of Racism

Racism started in the 1700s and has still been occuring till this day. From the looks of it, it seems to be that racism would never end. Because of cultural reasons, stereotypes, and economic reasons, it will always be an issue. People teach their kids to be racist, and make racists comments like it's normal. We can't stop people from having their personal opinions on racism, but we can stay aware of how racists others could be, our history of […]

A Simple Introduction to Three Main Types of Racism

Race plays an important role in both personal and social life, and racial issues are some of the most heated debates in the world due to their complexity, involving the diverse historical and cultural backgrounds of different ethnic groups. Consciously or unconsciously, when one race holds prejudice, discrimination, and a sense of superiority to oppress another race, the issue of racism arises. Based on aspects of individual biases, social institutions, and cultural backgrounds, the three most common types of racism […]

Civil Rights Martyrs

Are you willing to give your life for your people? These martyrs of the civil rights movement gave everything for their people. Although some may say their deaths did not have an impact on the civil rights movements. They risked their lives just so African Americans could have the rights they have today. The definition of martyr is a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs. They believe that everyone should be equal and have the […]

Making Racism Obsolete

Does racism still exist? Some would say no?, but some would agree that racism is a cut that won't heal. Molefi Kete Asante is a professor at Temple University and has written many books during his career. In this analysis I will dissect Asante's work covering racism from the past, present and the future moving forward. Asante argues that America is divided between two divisions, the Promise and the Wilderness. Historically, African Americans has been at a disadvantage politically, socially, […]

American Rule in the Philippines and Racism

During our almost 50 years of control in the Philippines, many of our law makers and leaders were fueled by debates at home, and also our presence overseas. These two perspectives gave a lot of controversy as to how Americans were taking control, and confusion of what they were actually doing in the Philippines. Many leaders drew from Anglo- Saxon beliefs, which lead to racist ideas and laws. These combined proved unfair treatment of the Filipinos and large amounts of […]

Social Media’s Role in Perceptions of Racism in the USA

Research studies show that racism has been in existence for centuries. Whether this is still an issue, is the question we must ask ourselves. The internet or, social media has become a major part of society over the years and conveys information, news, opinionated posts, and propaganda, as well. There are several factors involved within this topic and a plethora of resources available in search of the answers. We will look at different opinions, research studies, and ideas in relation […]

The Institutional Racism

In today society there is several police brutality against black people, and it is governed by the behavioral norms which defined the social and political institution that support institutional systems. Black people still experience racism from people who think they are superior, it is a major problem in our society which emerged from history till date and it has influences other people mindset towards each other to live their dreams. In the educational system, staffs face several challenges among black […]

Movie Review of Argo with Regards to Geography

The movie "Crash" is set in a geographical setting which clearly helps in building the major themes of racial discrimination and drug trafficking. This is because the movie is set in Los Angeles which is an area of racial discrimination epitome and partially in Mexico, a geographical area well known for drug trafficking (Schneider, 2014). The physical geographical setting where the movie is shot is very crucial as it helps in developing the main themes of the movie. The movie […]

The Development of Cultural Racism Associated with American Politics

Abstract Politics in the United States have always been a heated issue, and never more so than now. The surprising election of Donald Trump has created a clear cultural divide on many levels that continues to cultivate hate, and gifts not just Americans but the entire world with cultural racism that we have not seen for a long time. The political divide in America affects every American, every day, so much so that you would be hard-pressed to find someone […]

Racism and Civil War

One person is all it takes to change the world, for the good or for the bad. In this democratic society, every person is granted the same three unalienable rights: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If the Declaration of Independence stands true, then what’s the difference between a white individual and a black individual? The word “racism” is associated with the idea of one race being superior to the other, most commonly, blacks are “inferior” to whites. No […]

What is Racism?

Racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior and the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or […]

There Will Always be Color Racism is not Dead

Racism is not dead. Equality does not exist. The color of a person's skin still matters. Even in the 21st century, there are flaws within our legal system that has allowed Jim Crow to still exist under a new skin. The United States has used mass incarceration to continually disenfranchise millions of the African American Community. In The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, Michelle Alexander reasons that the criminal justice system is faulty and with […]

Discrimination of Races

Discrimination of races is something that is occuring in our society everyday. It still exists today because it started so long ago and once certain races had the hierarchy, some refuse to let go of the idea that they have more power just because they look a certain way and they choose to discriminate the minorities. Discrimination against a person's race occurs when an individual or group of individuals are treated unequally because of their true or perceived race. I […]

Racism and Discrimination: the Influence of Past Sins

Discrimination against black people by white people in the United States had been regarded as a matter of course and justifiable for more than 300 years. Therefore, the problem is far more than whether the laws are prohibited or not, but whether people's mind and concepts are changed or not. The latter is something that everyone understands but is the most difficult to do. While looking at American history, the history of African Americans can be said to be soaked […]

Racism: Unmasking Microaggressions and Discrimination

Reading through the article provided a vivid reflection on how racism becomes a serious issue in the today society. There are various types of racism the article brings out manifested in micro aggression form. The varied opinions in my mind provide a clear picture of the information relayed in the article through the following analysis. Discrimination concerning race will major in my analysis. First, let me talk about the black guy abused in the Saudi Arabia that has sparked public […]

Color Blind Racism

I enjoyed watching this documentary “White Like Me”, by Tim Wise. What I found most surprising was the fact that Tim Wise was a white male and was the individual in the film talking about the discrimination people of color receive. There were a few other things that surprised me, like the fact that there are more African Americans in jail and on probation than the number of those enslaved in 1850. The movie version of Black Like Me was […]

The Acts of Imperialism and Racism in “The Heart of Darkness”

In the novel The Heart of Darkness, the reader is introduced to the acts of imperialism and racism. The story tells of Europeans who have established a colony in Africa that is being used for trade purposes. However, the background of the story is that the Europeans are trying to colonize the Africans and introduce them to the European way of living. The white traders are not only trying to change the Africans way of life, the whites also view […]

Stereotyping and Discrimination

Introduction The movie starts with all the animals living together and happily in the big city. Their peaceful lives are then disturbed by ferocious predators. The case goes to the swindler fox and a bunny cop, those who unintentionally solve many problems related to hidden cases of interspecies.Rhetorical Strategies Few of the negative observers interpret that movie does not openly or directly express the racism. Additionally, the writer named as Nico Lang also asserts that movie does not score much […]

Police Brutality and Racism

The Declaration of Independence was created to protect the inalienable rights that all Americans receive at birth, yet police brutality continues to threaten the rights of African Americans everywhere. Police everywhere need to be given mandatory psychological tests in order to gain awareness of racial bias in law enforcement and allow citizens to slowly gain trust for the officers in law enforcement. No one wants a child to grow up in a world filled with hate. As Martin Luther King […]

Effects of Racism in Desiree’s Baby

As hard as it may be to talk about it, race has found a humble abode in literature. Desiree’s baby revolves around race and how it affects its main characters. A woman by the name of Desiree gives birth to a baby boy who is fathered by cruel slave master Armand Aubigny. Desiree makes a startling discovery when she finds out that her baby is of African heritage and this infuriates her husband who kicks them out causing Desiree to […]

Racism and Slavery

During the colonial period, Americans came up with the idea to bring African men and women overseas and use them as slaves. The effects of slavery on African Americans were enormous, and the white men got higher ranked in the hierarchy than the back men because of the colour of their skin. In order to discuss the impact that slavery has had on today’s society, you need to first address why it actually occurred. During the 17th and 18th century, […]

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How To Write An Essay On Racism

Introduction to the complexities of racism.

Writing an essay on racism involves delving into a complex and sensitive subject that has deep historical roots and contemporary implications. Begin your essay by defining racism as a system of discrimination based on race, affecting individuals and groups socially, economically, and politically. Highlight the importance of understanding racism not only as overt acts of discrimination but also as institutional and systemic practices. This introduction should lay the groundwork for your exploration, whether it's focused on historical aspects of racism, its manifestations in modern society, or strategies for combating racial prejudice and inequality.

Historical Context and Evolution of Racism

The body of your essay should include a detailed examination of the historical context and evolution of racism. Discuss how racism has been perpetuated and institutionalized over time, highlighting key historical events and policies that have contributed to racial discrimination and segregation. Depending on your essay’s focus, you might explore the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, Jim Crow laws, or apartheid, among other topics. This historical perspective is crucial for understanding how past injustices continue to shape present racial dynamics and attitudes.

Analyzing Modern Manifestations of Racism

Transition to discussing the modern manifestations of racism. Examine how racism operates in current societal structures, such as in the criminal justice system, education, employment, and healthcare. Discuss the concept of systemic racism and how it perpetuates inequality, as well as the impact of racial bias and stereotypes in media representation and everyday interactions. This section should also address the intersectionality of racism, acknowledging how race intersects with other identities like gender, class, and sexuality, contributing to unique experiences of discrimination.

Strategies for Addressing and Combating Racism

Conclude your essay by exploring strategies for addressing and combating racism. Discuss the importance of education, awareness-raising, and open dialogue in challenging racist beliefs and stereotypes. Reflect on the role of policy changes, affirmative action, and reparations in addressing systemic racism. Emphasize the importance of individual and collective action in fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. Your conclusion should not only summarize the key points of your essay but also inspire a sense of hope and commitment to anti-racist efforts, underscoring the ongoing work needed to dismantle racism in all its forms.

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Racism Essay: Topics, Samples, & Writing Guide

Racism is a very spread yet complicated topic for students of all levels. Any essay about racism should include a clear introduction, solid body arguments, and a consistent conclusion.

You are lucky to have encountered this article because our experts have prepared all the necessary answers.

Here, we provide you with a most detailed writing guide. You’ll find out how to start and continue writing and what each part of an essay should include. You will also get an impressive number of inspiring topics and a couple of samples to top it up.

You need to write a racism definition essay? We’ve got that too. Let’s go!

• ✒️ Racism Essay Writing

📚 269 Racism Essay Topics

💡 racism essay examples, ✒️ racism essay writing guide.

It doesn’t matter whether you have to write a racism argumentative essay or a persuasive one – the principles are the same.

Read this short guide to get a clear idea of an excellent essay about racism once and for all.

Essay on Racism- Step 1: Choose the Topic

Generally speaking, to choose a topic about racism, consider the basics. Your issue has to be acute, narrow, unique, and containing a conflict.

• If you catch yourself thinking: “Well, racism is too broad an issue, how am I supposed to write about it?” don’t worry! First, go through this mini-guide and then dive into the racism essay topics compilation below. If it’s not enough, try our Free Essay Topic Generator .

Essay on Racism – Step 2: Research

To create a racism essay, you should read a great scope of literature. Study the issue from different angles to find out the range of opinions.

• There are many excellent sources with all kinds of information about racism. It can be a good TedTalk video where a speaker elaborates on a specific topic. Or scholarly articles with comprehensive research and methodologies.

Essay on Racism – Step 3: Outline

Every assignment can contain individual demands to meet. For example, argumentative essay topics on racism must include particular evidence in the body. For a racism definition essay, it’s not necessary.

• Nevertheless, you should be familiar with the primary principles of essay outlining. Study them in the sections below.

I. Racism Essay Introduction

It’s essential to draw your audience’s attention first. A good introduction may start with a hook, including some statistics or disturbing facts. Racism topics for research papers have plenty of opportunities to operate a good hook.

Once you get the readers’ attention, introduce background information. Let your reader get familiar with what you are writing. The introduction usually ends with a thesis statement and a brief and sharp phrasing of an issue.

II. Racism Essay Body

The body of your essay on racism is the part where you unfold and prove your thesis statement . Usually, the body consists of three paragraphs with supporting arguments. However, the central part may depend on a particular type of essay.

For example, an argumentative essay requires drawing a solid argumentation and backing it up with evidence. This is necessary to do with each of the body paragraphs.

III. Racism Essay Conclusion

The final touch of your essay is a conclusion. Usually, you need just one paragraph, but it depends on the essay requirements.

A reasonable conclusion suggests that you clarify the significance of your arguments. Remember that you don’t want to duplicate everything you said. Your task is to summarize the information.

Answer the questions that appeared in the beginning and offer a solution to the problem.

You can find a conclusion example in our “To Kill a Mockingbird” racism essay sample below.

We’ve reached the best part of the article. If you have to write an essay on racism and discrimination, here you go!

Choose any of these inspiring essay topics and start writing.

Racism Definition Essay

A definition essay implies that you reveal the essence of a concept or phenomenon. You can refer to definitions from different sources or make your own.

Looking through our racism essay examples, you can understand what should be in such an essay.

Let’s have a closer look.

• Identify the concept of racism. What does it include? What do we have to consider while talking about racism? Give examples of decent and poor definitions of racism.
• What is racial prejudice? Speak on how the mistreatment of the notion can lead to communication problems . How do different people understand this concept?
• Reveal the essence and meaning of the concept of white privilege. How did it appear? Speak on different opinions towards it.
• What is racial equity? What is the opposite term for it? Search for the definitions in scholarly works. Also, try to build your definition and explain how you see racial equity .
• Speak on different types of racism. What is systemic racism? What are institutional and individual racism? Explain the definition of structural racism.
• Ethnicity: what is it, and how does it differ from a race?
• Cultural appropriation: What is it, and why can it have a negative effect?
• Race and your community .
• How should the concept of national values be understood?
• Explain the meaning of internalized racism.
• What is the essence of racial and cultural diversity?
• From the very beginning: Explore various definitions of race.
• Social science and the origins of race .
• Microaggression acts : What is it, and why are they dangerous?
• What is racial trauma from the psychological point of view?
• Immigration and ethnic relations in the US .
• Societal disparities: The essence, types, and impact on racial relations.
• What is “culture”? What constituents does it have?
• Ku Klux Klan: History and essence of the most notorious racist organizations.
• Native Americans: Who are they, and what is happening now?
• Discrimination in the United States of America .
• Tell about BAME communities in Great Britain.
• The history of the Black Power Movement, its leaders, and ideas.
• The meaning of gender and race .
• Bias and prejudice : reveal the meaning of these notions.
• Institutional discrimination and racism .
• Analyze explicit and implicit racial prejudices.
• Define the term “discrimination” within the racism issues.
• Environmental racism and justice .
• What were the reasons for racism to appear?
• Antisemitism: History and impact on society and individuals.
• Defining unconscious racism .
• Tell about the most racist societies.
• Explore racist ideas in Ancient Greece.
• Racism and discrimination: The church vision and teaching .
• Martin Luther King Jr : Life, ideas, and death.
• Reveal the essence of such a concept as “post-racial.”
• The concept of race: Social science .
• Social distance scale in terms of racism.
• Harlem Renaissance: was it an anti-racist call or just art?
• National cultural identity: The essence and connection to racism.
• Implicit association test: Measuring attitudes toward race and ethnicity .
• Tell about the concepts of genocide and segregation .
• The role of the conflict theory in the framework of racism.
• Ethnic groups and discrimination .
• The significance of assimilation in the fight against racism.
• Write about the personality theory concerning racism.
• The phenomenon of inter-racism in the society .

Racism Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay suggests that an author points out their opinion and proves its validity. In other words, with the help of arguments, the authors support their points of view.

Within the discourse of racial issues, there are diverse opinions. Topics for the research paper in an argumentative style you’ll find below.

• The extension of racism terms. Think of the importance of adjusting the language to social needs. Why is racism much more than it’s said in dictionaries?
• The racial equality progress didn’t improve much since the slavery abolition . Explore the statistics that prove it and the opinions of racial minorities representatives.
• Why is it essential to work together against racism? Elaborate on the role of communities in combating racial issues. Can each of us contribute to the situation improvement?
• The role of psychology in dismantling racism is enormous. How does psychology help understand the nature of bias? Explore how the psychological treatment approaches help address racism and its consequences.
• The Internet is a place where racism is widespread. Explore the impact that cyberbullying by race has on people. Why is it essential to control violent acts online?
• Criminal justice discrimination: Foster v. Chatman .
• Why witnessing racist behavior without acting against it is dangerous?
• African Americans’ civil rights: The role of the federal government and the Supreme Court .
• Academic racism: Why should philosophical works be revised?
• A belief that physical differences define a human must disappear.
• Teaching culturally and ethnically diverse learners in science classroom .
• The role of fashion editorials in embracing different cultures.
• The impact of slavery on identities of African Americans in the run-up to the Civil War .
• Tell about different racist establishments and why we need to stop them.
• How to fight racial discrimination appearing in the healthcare system?
• Nazi ideas didn’t stay in the past: They are still here and poisonous.
• Racial and cultural inequities in health.
• Facing racism can be disastrous for mental health.
• Can racism be considered a mental illness?
• Racial bias and racial profiling in law enforcement .
• Tell about racism among Latino people in Mexico.
• Cultural, ethnic, and gender differences at the workplace .
• What are the disastrous effects of racism?
• Racism is one of the evilest human sins.
• Will racism be a usual thing in the US forever?
• What is better for a country: A racist or anti-racist president?
• Mexican Americans’ struggle for integrated schools in the civil rights era .
• It’s time people of color took the domination in the US.
• The issue of race and ethnic groups .
• Will racial discrimination lead the world to a global war?
• Is Donald Trump a racist?
• Is it a crime to be a racist?
• How does racism spread among children and teens?
• Racial injustice and its impact on employees .
• Racism has different faces: Trade war.
• Are native Americans racists or victims of discrimination?
• Flint poisoning: Environmental racism and racial capitalism .
• What do racial discrimination and Holocaust have in common?
• How skin complexion affects African Americans .
• Does a person become a racist from childhood?
• Racial prejudices can’t be considered a sin due to religious beliefs.
• Race and class in the US criminal justice system .
• Do racial trait differences define a person?
• The decision to grant freedom to African Americans: Pros and cons .
• Does racism do anything good to society?
• The Trans-Atlantic African slave trade: What are the impacts and who is to blame ?
• Why does racism still exist?
• Racial, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic issues in psychology .
• Is there any cure for racism?
• Radical Republicans and African Americans during Reconstruction .
• There should be anti-racism lessons in schools.
• Light, camera, action: Racism in cinematography is thriving.
• Gender and race discrimination at workplaces .

Racism Persuasive Essay

In a persuasive essay , you should prove a particular point of view and make the audience agree with it. It means using both facts and emotions to reach the goal.

Writing a racism essay, you can use some striking facts and stories. You can be sure there are a lot of provoking situations you’d like to talk about.

• Native Americans should be free of suffering. We took their lands off them and must stop suppressing their culture. Why are reservations sadistic? What can we do to help?
• Shaking hands, increased heart rate, anxiety, low self-esteem, and chronic stress. These are only a part of all consequences of racist aggression. What else should minorities’ representatives experience to make privileged white people wake up?
• Asians deserve better: Explore the question of racist prejudice against Asian people. They often get poorly treated and disrespected, but we rarely discuss it. Is it high time we changed this?
• The Ku Klux Klan is still alive and breathing. Why in the 21st century should we face the terrible legacy of this hate group? Should the government control it more? What can we do to eliminate it?
• Police brutality and racism: Why are these two concepts so interrelated in the USA? Can we do anything about it in a peaceful way? How can deaths from police violence be prevented?
• Native American women face discrimination that has to be stopped.
• Black neighborhoods are problematic, and it’s only our fault.
• Jim Crow and segregation era’s implications for modern African American history .
• Facts: There are no reasons or excuses for racism.
• Racist (like any other discriminative) advertisements should be abolished.
• Black Lives Matter: Racial perspectives on social media .
• Should there be special anti-racist training for school teachers?
• The problem of racism in the US .
• Why is it not enough to embrace different cultures on Netflix shows?
• African Americans and the American Revolution .
• George Floyd is an innocent man who died because of racism.
• Are the United States in real crisis in terms of racial inequality?
• Why is keeping silent one of the major missteps in addressing racism?
• Are all hate crimes in the US based on racism?
• Discrimination in the criminal justice system: Why we should address this issue .
• Race doesn’t serve any purpose in modern society.
• The African American women stereotyping in media .
• “Irishness”: Tell why this concept should be considered racist.
• Racism and sexism: does racial discrimination have gender preferences?
• Islamophobia is another type of racial discrimination.
• How to prevent African American males from dropping out of high school .
• There are a lot of social processes that support racism.
• Race-related stress makes society dysfunctional.
• Immigration and racial profiling and the role of law enforcement .
• The segregation of Native Americans is wrong in its roots.
• The African American civil rights movement history: Its effects on today’s America .
• Neglecting racism issues brings corruption to society.
• Social media have a significant influence on the perception of racism.
• Should people become more compassionate towards racial minorities?
• African American teachers in segregated schools in the US .
• Sex workers face racial discrimination, and it’s a problem.
• What is wrong with commercials and advertisements in terms of racism?
• List of privileges and ways I have experienced and demonstrated racism .
• The mental health of people of color suffers a lot from racism.
• Educators shouldn’t spread myths about races.
• The historical progression of African Americans .
• The civil rights movement : History and impact.
• Discrimination against minority groups, races, and ethnic groups .
• Was Barack Obama proof that there is no racism in the US?
• Key events in African American civil rights movement and their impact .
• How can each of us fight racism in everyday life?
• Problem of discrimination in nursing .
• Can racism be justified in any case?
• Women in hijabs shouldn’t suffer from discrimination .

Racism Topics for Research Paper

Here you can find deeper topics for your research paper on racism and discrimination. The approach of this type is more serious and scientific.

• Ethnic differences in mental health service use.
• Analyze unfair judicial practices concerning racial prejudices.
• Elaborate on Desmond Tutu’s words about injustice.
• Hispanic Americans facing discrimination .
• Explore the racism manifestations in various establishments: In football, in schools , in sports, and in the workplace.
• Ethnicity and religion impact on the second language acquisition of Muslims males .
• The race theory: What do we know about it?
• Immigration and racism in Canada .
• President Lyndon Johnson said: “If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best-colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket.” How can these words be interpreted?
• Racial struggles in Detroit during riots of 1967 .
• Disparities in COVID infections: How racial inequality affects health care?
• Racial profiling and its use at police stops and in crime reduction .
• What are the actions political leaders should take to address racism?
• The effects of police racial profiling on people’s attitudes .
• Study the question of oversimplification of racism in the US.
• Black lives matter: What changes did this establishment bring to society?
• The fashion industry and racism: have the attitudes changed over the last 20 years?
• Race and crime: Is there a correlation ?
• Why are Black Americans more inclined to die from cancer and heart diseases?
• Ethnic minority group investigation: Mexican Americans .
• Pregnancy-related death causes and racism: Why Black women are treated differently?
• Africans in America – the growth of slavery in the 1600s and 1700s .
• Are there any ways to low down the infant death mortality rate among Black kids?
• Policy: Overcoming racial profiling .
• Compare the range of racist attitudes in Canada and the USA.
• Has race relations improved since the Civil War ?
• How does the individual approach win over generalizing in racial issues discussions?
• Shifting morality in race and education .
• Make a review of three books on inclusion and embracing diversity.
• How does racism reflect in hiring and promotion practices?
• What perspectives does the US have in terms of racial equality?
• Racial discrimination of African Americans during Jim Crow’s era .
• Why do middle-class Black Americans have worse health conditions than white working-class citizens?
• The evolving role of HBCUs in resolving racial tensions .
• Explore the history of racism in the USA.
• African American history: Lost and rewritten .
• Tell about the prominent figures who toiled against racism.
• How can education be made more equitable for students of color?
• How did Darwin’s research influence racism?
• Ethnic minorities and the graduate labour market .
• For which groups is racism beneficial?
• Social status of African-Americans during 1920-2000 .
• How is racism reflected in pop culture?
• How racial segregation contributes to concentrated poverty in minority communities .
• What are the consequences of racism in sports?
• The African-American struggle for civil rights in Texas .
• How does systemic racism reflect in political institutions ?
• Racism impact on African-American communities in the US .
• Elaborate on Martin King Jr’s impact on racial equality .
• Race discrimination: Aspects and effects .
• Explore the history of racism in the UK.
• Racial tensions in contemporary America .
• Tell about the impact of racial discrimination on workers in the 50s.
• Ethnicity studies in counseling for schizophrenia.
• Does racism slow down the progress in society?
• What did Fidel Castro do to eliminate discrimination in Cuba?
• How is poverty in black neighborhoods connected with racism?
• Chinese Americans: History and discrimination .
• Do anthropological studies improve the situation with racism?
• African American women obtaining higher education .
• Explore the history of racism in Australia.
• Discuss the heritage and value of African American literature.
• How has police brutality been revealed for the recent ten years?
• Racial and ethnic minorities in the United States and their health care problems.
• Explore the essence of scientific racism.
• Terrorism, race, and the criminal justice in America .
• The effects of ethnic stratification on social institutions.
• Incarceration rates among racial & ethnic minorities .
• Write about social constructions of “race” and “racism.”
• Racial discrimination practices in recruitment and selection .
• What is the impact of racism and antisemitism on society?
• Equal opportunities and gender, age and race in the UK .

Racism Essay Topics in Literature

Art, culture, and literature are susceptible to any social phenomena. You can always trace the sociocultural background in the works of art. In this section, we’ve got literature topics for a racism definition essay and other types of paper.

To Kill a Mockingbird Racism Essay Topics

• Hypocrisy and racism – how are they connected in the novel? Explore the underneath reasons for racial prejudice in Maycomb, such as vacancy of thought and lack of empathy.
• Institutional racism in the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Is it fair to consider the book an anti-racist moral call while written from a privileged white perspective?
• Racism is everywhere: Speak on how institutional racism is seen at Scout’s school . Why do teachers showcase discriminatory behavior instead of tolerance and justice to children?
• “Cry about the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think that they’re people, too.” Is it possible to grow up from sensitive children into sensitive adults?
• Seventeen shots in the back, the end: Why don’t we observe the feelings, grief , and thoughts of Black people in the novel? For instance, Tom Robinson, his wife, and children, Calpurnia – their personalities are hardly revealed.
• Did Tom Robinson have a chance to be pleaded innocent?
• What is wrong with the missionary tea party?
• How Harper Lee’s life is reflected in To Kill a Mockingbird ?
• Is Atticus Finch a role model for any white man?
• What are the ways Harper Lee shows prejudices in her novel?
• Compare the situation with racism back in the 1930s with the current state of things.
• What is the drama of the Dolphus Raymond family?
• Describe how Black characters are depicted in the book.
• Analyze Aunt Alexandra’s character, her racist prejudices, and narrow-mindedness.
• Is “To Kill a Mockingbird” a racist or anti-racist book?
• Boo Radley: How does prejudice reflect on white citizens?

Racism in Othello Essay Topics

• Explore the difference between racism depiction in Shakespeare’s play and movies. How did different directors avoid racism topic in their films? Why is it a problem?
• Analyze the portrayal of Othello in the play: The cruel, dull Moor, the Other. What attitude of a man of color is perceived through these characteristics?
• Explore Othello’s self-perception depicted by Shakespeare. Why is it problematic that he expresses insecurity due to his blackness? What is wrong with the way the author presents Othello’s self-hatred?
• “There is no racism without language,” – said Derrida . Analyze the language means used in the play to reflect racial prejudices: thick lips, an old black ram, and others.
• Othello: The racial issues in the play .
• How does the character of Brabantio express racism?
• Talk about racist and sexist issues in the play.
• How can racial discrimination ruin the lives of two people in love?
• Why is “Othello” a tragedy of racial conflict more than jealousy?
• What are the different forms in which racism shows up in the play?
• The Otherness of Othello: Is it racism or a literary device?
• How are the racist views in England reflected in the play?
• Is Shakespeare’s portrayal of a Black man adequate?
• Can we say that the main protagonist of the play was a racist?
• Why “Othello” is a controversial play in terms of racism?

Racism in Huckleberry Finn Essay Topics

• Explore and analyze the literary critics of “Huckleberry Finn.” Why was the book banned and censored for years? Is it coarse, ill-cultured, and obscene?
• An absolute masterpiece: Analyze the positive reviews on the book by Lionel Trifling and T. S. Eliot. What impact does this critique have on the perception of the novel?
• Desegregation and the civil rights movement . Tell about social events that co-occurred with including the book into the school curricula.
• Racism affects and distorts the morality of both aggressors and victims. Explore how the author exposes this idea in the novel.
• Huck Finn is fighting with dissonance in his mind. He is sympathetic towards people of color and shows a racist attitude at the same time. What does this tell us about?
• How is the hypocrisy of middle-class society shown in the book?
• Satire in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn : Should we accuse Mark Twain of racism ?
• “Racially offensive tone”: what were the reasons for the book’s struggle with censorship?
• Describe how the Black characters are depicted in the novel.
• A slave owner and a Christian: reveal the racist character of Mrs. Watson in the novel.
• Can we call a book racist for the repetition of the word ‘nigger’ in it?
• What lessons can be learned from the story of Huck Finn?
• How does Mark Twain show the derogatory impact of racism on society?
• How do the feelings of guilt and shame help Huck to get mature?
• Can we say that Mrs. Judith Loftus is sympathetic to people of color?
• Why is Huck’s Pap not only the greatest villain but also a dreadful racist?

Not to beat around the bush, here’re actual race essay examples. Our experts have chosen two very different topics to demonstrate how broad your opportunities are.

Racism Definition Essay: on Racism and Discrimination

If there is a choice to speak about racism or not, it’s better to speak. Maybe, this way, we could change the sad statistics which say the relations between white and Black Americans are at their lowest point for the recent twenty years. To speak of racism and discrimination, one should clearly understand their meaning, origin, and changes. However, it’s not that easy to say what racism is because it has numerous faces. First of all, it’s a problem, inducing disparities, violence, misunderstanding, and suffering. Besides, we reckon, the word ‘prejudice’ reflects the essence of racial discrimination. Thus, we can say that discrimination based on racial differences is prejudiced mistreatment of a person of color. The very thought of bias due to a particular skin color or hair texture seems absurd. However, the issue is enormous and old. Racially ill philosophy appeared a long time ago. People have believed that physical and biological traits define personal ones for hundreds of years. This is another reason it’s so difficult to get rid of racism – it’s an ancient evil. Thriving in the times of colonization, racism has spread greatly by the 18th century. North American and European colonizers had to make up some beliefs that could eliminate contradictions. They proclaimed America as the country of human equality and dignity and enslaved African folks simultaneously. Thus, the idea of dehumanization of those who were enslaved seemed an escape. That’s why it’s vital to understand the roots of racism and all its faces to combat it successfully. The first step is to admit the issue and take off the disguise it may hide under.

To Kill a Mockingbird Racism Argumentative Essay

“I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks.” These words, said by a little girl, must be a lesson to all adults living in a world full of prejudices. Indeed, how come people still judge each other by skin color or hair texture after hundreds of years of cultured society? The book teaches humanism, justice, and kindness, although not all of its characters are kind and fair. However, we can learn a lot about racism issues that unfortunately didn’t lose their acuteness. The point is that racial discrimination is disastrous and devastating. It should be eliminated from the very basics of human minds and souls. It’s pretty disappointing to watch such a dramatic plot unfolding in the south of 20 century America. People there were used to racial discrimination due to historical context. However, we can see that racism is a surface issue under which there are many others. The reason for prejudice lies in the narrow-mindedness and lack of sympathy. Vacancy of thought and rigidness don’t allow people to act fair-hearted. If we recollect Aunt Alexandra feeling sympathetic towards the non-existence tribe somewhere in Africa, we can notice how detached from the real things she is. Her tunnel vision doesn’t let her see what happens around: for example, that accusation of the innocent Black man goes pretty well with her. The huge drama is that a decaying community prefers to escape from the problems like poverty, dullness, and outdated traditions. People blame someone for their physical difference to keep a blind eye on their shortcomings. We definitely should become more educated, not only in practical knowledge but also in terms of humanism and emotional intelligence. This is the first step to a healthier society.

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Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Racial Discrimination — The Impact of Racism on the Society

Racism in Society, Its Effects and Ways to Overcome

• Categories: Racial Discrimination

About this sample

Words: 2796 |

14 min read

Published: Jun 10, 2020

Words: 2796 | Pages: 6 | 14 min read

Table of contents

Executive summary, the effects of racism in today’s world (essay), works cited.

• The current platform of social media has given many of the minorities their voice; they can make sure that the world can hear them and their opinions are made clear. This phenomenon is only going to rise with the rise of social media in the coming years.
• The diversity of race, culture and ethnicity that has been seen as a cause of rift and disrupt in the society in the past, will act as a catalyst for social development sooner rather than later, with the decrease in racism.
• Racist view of an individual are not inherited, they are learned. With that in mind, it is fair to assume that the coming generations will not be as critical of an individual’s race as the older generations have been.
• If people dismiss the concept of racial/ethnical evaluations and instead, evaluate an individual on one’s abilities and capabilities, the economic development will definitely have a rise.
• A lot of intra-society grievances and mishaps that are caused due to misconceptions of an ethnic group can be reduced as social interaction increases.
• As people from different ethnic backgrounds, coming from humble beginnings, discriminated throughout their careers, manage to emerge successful to the public platform, the racist train of thought is being exposed and will continue to do so. This will inspire people from any and every background, race, language, ethnicity to step forward and compete on the large scale.
• Racism and prejudice are at the root of racial profiling and that racial bias has been interweaved into the culture of most societies. However, these chains have grown much weaker as time has passed, to the point that they are in a fragile state.
• Another ray of hope that can be witnessed nowadays that people are no longer ashamed of their cultural identity. People now believe that their cultural background is in no way or form inferior to another and thus, worth defending. This will turn out to be a major factor in minimizing racism in the future.
• Because of the strong activism against racism, a new phenomenon has emerged that is color blindness, which is the complete disregard of racial characteristics in any kind of social situation.
• The world is definitely going in the right direction concerning the curse that is Racism; however, it is far too early to claim that humankind will completely rid itself of this vile malignance. PrescriptionsRacism is a curse that has plagued humanity since long. It has been responsible for multitudes of nefarious acts in the past and is causing a lot of harm even now, therefore care must be taken that this problem is brought under control as soon as possible so as not to hinder the growth of human societies. The following are some of the precautions, so to say, that will help tremendously in tackling this problem.
• The first and foremost step is to take this problem seriously both on an individual and on community level. Racism is something that can not be termed as a minor issue and dismissed. History books dictate that racism is responsible for countless deaths and will continue to claim the lives of more innocents unless it is brought under control with a firm hand. The first step to controlling it is to accept racism as a serious problem.
• Another problem is that many misconceptions or rumors that are dismissed by most people as a trivial detail are sometimes a big deal for other people, which might push them over the edge to commit a crime or some other injustice. So whenever there is an anomaly, a misconception or a misrepresentation of an individual’s, a group’s or a society’s ideas or beliefs, try to be the voice of reason rather than staying quiet about it. Decades of staying silent over crucial issues has caused us much harm and brought us to this point, staying silent now can only lead us to annihilation.
• One of most radical and effective solution to racial diversity is to turn it from something negative to something positive. Where previously, one does not talk to someone because of his or her cultural differences, now talk to them exactly because of that. If different cultures and races start taking steps, baby steps even, towards the goal of acquiring mutual respect and trust, racism can be held in check.
• On the national level, contingencies can be introduced and laws can be made that support cultural diversity and preach against anything that puts it in harm’s way. Taking such measures will make every single member of the society well aware of the scale of this problem and people will take it more seriously rather than ridiculing it.
• Finally, just as being racist was a part of the culture in the older generations, we need to make being anti-racist a part of our cultures. If our children, our youth grew up watching their elders and their role models dissing and undermining racism at every point of life, they will definitely adopt a lifestyle that will allow no racial discriminations in their life.

Methodology

Findings and results.

• Is racism justifiable?
• Is the current trend of racism increasing in your country?
• Do you have any acquaintances or friends that belong to a different ethnical background?
• Would you ever use someone’s race against them to win an argument?
• Would you agree to work in a diverse racial environment?
• Will humankind ever rid itself of racism?
• Have you ever taken any measures to abate racism?
• Racism has changed the relationship between people?
• Racial discriminations are apparent in our everyday life.
• One racial/ethnic group can be superior to another
• Racial/ethnic factors can change your perception of a person.
• Racial diversity can cause problems in one’s society.
• Racial or Ethnical conflict should be in cooperated into the laws of one’s society.
• Are you satisfied with the way different ethnic groups are treated in your society?
• ABC News. (2021). The legacy of racism in America. https://abcnews.go.com/US/legacy-racism-america/story?id=77223885
• British Broadcasting Corporation. (2021). Racism: What is it? https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/53498245
• Chetty, R., Hendren, N., & Jones, M. R. (2020). Racism and the American economy. Harvard University.
• Gibson, K. L., & Oberg, K. (2019). What does racism look like today? National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2019/04/what-does-racism-look-like-today-feature/
• Hughey, M. W. (2021). White supremacy. The Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Sociology.
• Jones, M. T., & Janson, C. (2020). Racism and health: Evidence and needed research. Annual Review of Public Health, 41, 1-16.
• Krieger, N. (2019). Discrimination and racial inequities in health : A commentary and a research agenda. American Journal of Public Health, 109(S1), S82-S85.
• Kteily, N., Bruneau, E., Waytz, A., & Cotterill, S. (2021). The psychology of racism: A review of theory and research. Annual Review of Psychology, 72, 479-514.
• Schmitt, M. T., Branscombe, N. R., Postmes, T., & Garcia, A. (2014). The consequences of perceived discrimination for psychological well-being: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 140(4), 921-948.
• Williams, D. R., & Mohammed, S. A. (2013). Racism and health I: Pathways and scientific evidence. American Behavioral Scientist, 57(8), 1152-1173.

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Tackling Racism in the Workplace Essay (Critical Writing)

Introduction, human resource managers addressing racism.

HR has an important role in creating a diverse and inclusive workforce, which means they are expected to address racism in the work environment. However, according to Kandola (n.d.), “The least effective action in tackling racism was to report it to HR” (para. 15). It means that reporting racism to HR does not have the expected positive effect on workplace relations, and employees may not feel secure to notify HR about the incidences of racism. This paper will discuss why HR is not perceived as effective in addressing racism and what can be done to fix this situation.

The key reason for employees’ resistance to reporting racism is, apparently, unclear expectations about the results of such actions. According to Kandola’s (n.d.) report, 39% of respondents would not notify anyone if they witnessed a case of racism because of a fear of consequences. It may occur in organizations where HR has not delineated specific procedures for reporting racial discrimination and where leadership does not hold perpetrators accountable for engaging in workplace racism. Thus, vague HR policies regarding racism reporting may undermine employees’ trust in HR’s ability to cope with this issue.

Another reason for HR’s perceived ineffectiveness in tackling racism is a lack of open discussion of this problem in the organization. According to Shufutinsky et al. (2019), uncomfortable conversations regarding racial discrimination in the workplace often include such vague terms as tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. Researchers argue that policies and discussions involving such unclear language are made more for compliance purposes rather than for combating racism (Shufutinsky et al., 2019). It means that HR does not have a sincere intention to address racial discrimination since it avoids engaging in an open conversation about this issue with employees. Hence, the vague language used in HR policies and workplace discussions also contributes to workers’ distrust in HR’s effectiveness in eliminating racism.

Finally, HR managers’ hidden biases and behaviors stemming from them result in their failure to combat racism. Implicit bias refers to unconscious favorable or unfavorable attitudes that shape individuals’ actions, decisions, and understandings (Shufutinsky et al., 2019). A failure to address these prejudices leads to such behaviors as colorblindness, in which people fail to see cultural differences, and denial, in which they cannot reflect on their actions and emotions and prefer to deny reality instead (Shufutinsky et al., 2019). HR managers possessing hidden bias may assume that the problem of racism exists in this world but not in their organization, which allows them not to respond to this issue.

HR managers can become more effective in tackling racism if they manage to cope with the identified flaws. First, HR managers should address their own implicit bias and that of other employees within the organization. Racial bias training is a common solution for this problem, which helps workers become aware of their prejudices, develop empathy, and learn to build social connections (Hirsch, 2018). Another important step is to lead open conversations about racism, letting employees share their emotional experiences. As Roberts and Mayo (2019) note, having such discussions will be uncomfortable in the beginning, provoking shame, anger, and resentment, but they are important for creating a culture of psychological safety. Racial minority employees should know that their experiences are heard and understood and that they are secure in their attempts to seek racial equality. Finally, HR managers should develop clear and explicit policies about reporting workplace racism. These policies should include a clear process of filing a complaint and a possibility of doing so anonymously (Kandola, n.d.). In addition, employees engaging in racial discrimination should be held accountable to ensure that HR’s efforts toward combating racism are not futile.

In conclusion, HR managers are well-positioned to fight workplace racism because they are responsible for hiring, training, and compensating employees, as well as shaping organizational culture. However, unconscious bias, a lack of open conversations about racism, and unclear reporting policies undermine HR’s effectiveness in addressing this issue. Therefore, HR managers should tackle each of their internal problems to make the HR department the right place to go when employees encounter racism.

Hirsch, A. (2018). Taking steps to eliminate racism in the workplace . SHRM. Web.

Kandola, Binna. (n.d.). What is considered racism at work and how do I make a complaint? Pearn Kandola. Web.

Roberts, L. M., & Mayo, A. J. (2019). Toward a racially just workplace: Diversity efforts are failing black employees. Here’s a better approach. Harvard Business Review . Web.

Shufutinsky, B. B., Sibel, J. R., & Shufutinsky, A. (2019). Human resource tolerance policies and the perpetuation of discrimination and exclusion in the workplace: An interpretive phenomenological study. Elk Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior, 5 (2), 1-26.

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IvyPanda. (2023, June 13). Tackling Racism in the Workplace. https://ivypanda.com/essays/tackling-racism-in-the-workplace/

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IvyPanda . (2023) 'Tackling Racism in the Workplace'. 13 June.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Tackling Racism in the Workplace." June 13, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/tackling-racism-in-the-workplace/.

1. IvyPanda . "Tackling Racism in the Workplace." June 13, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/tackling-racism-in-the-workplace/.

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Why the Equal Rights Amendment Is Again a Hot Topic in New York

The proposed amendment to the State Constitution has become a divisive culture-war issue that encompasses abortion, discrimination and transgender athletes.

By Grace Ashford and Claire Fahy

Reporting from the State Capitol in Albany, N.Y.

The former congressman rocked back and forth, his face turning red as he jabbed his finger in the air. It had been 18 months since Lee Zeldin lost his bid to become governor of New York, and now he was back at a rally in Albany, with a new war to fight.

The enemy was a proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the State Constitution. But instead of attacking the amendment’s signature purpose — safeguarding abortion protections — Mr. Zeldin, a Republican, railed against what he framed as the Democrats’ secret agenda: forcing sports teams to welcome transgender athletes.

“There has been no greater attack on women’s rights and girls’ rights in the State of New York throughout any of our lifetimes than Proposition 1 in November,” he said at the rally in the State Capitol earlier this month.

The amendment, he added, was an “attempt by New York Democrats to deceptively put abortion on the ballot, when in reality it was a full-fledged attack on women’s rights, free speech, girls’ sports, rule of law and much more.”

As Election Day approaches, the fight over the amendment has taken on an outsize role in New York, even in a pivotal election year when the presidency, the House and state legislative races are on the ballot.

Voters were to decide the fate of the amendment in a binding statewide referendum this November, but that is now in flux. Last week, a state judge in western New York declared that Democratic lawmakers had made procedural errors in putting the referendum on the ballot, and ordered it removed. On Tuesday, the Democratic state attorney general, Letitia James, formally appealed the ruling.

The uncertainty surrounding the proposed amendment underscores the deep divisions between Democrats and Republicans and the ways that both parties have used it to fuel campaign rhetoric.

Democratic supporters say the Equal Rights Amendment would help safeguard the rights of women and anyone else confronted with discrimination based on race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or other characteristics. (New York already has a number of anti-discrimination laws, but, advocates say, these protections could be removed by a future Legislature if political winds change. Amending the constitution is a more permanent measure.)

Republicans have tried to shift the focus away from the threat to abortion, an issue that Democrats have successfully used to win a number of high-profile races across the country. Polling shows that a vast majority of Americans support abortion access, and voters, even in Republican-led states, have consistently voted to preserve it.

Instead, Republicans have focused their efforts on what they see as a more persuasive argument: barring transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports. A Siena College poll released in April showed that 66 percent of New York voters appeared to share Republicans’ concerns, telling pollsters that they believed that high school athletes ought to be required to compete in the gender category they were assigned at birth.

On Long Island, the Nassau County executive, Bruce Blakeman, issued an executive order barring transgender athletes from more than 100 county athletic facilities, unless they agreed to compete according to their assigned gender. The order was struck down in court last week largely on procedural grounds; Mr. Blakeman has said he will appeal the ruling.

Those opposing the amendment include the Coalition to Protect Kids, which describes itself as a nonpartisan group “composed of New Yorkers from all walks of life dedicated to defeating the so-called Equal Rights Amendment.”

The group has rebranded the measure the “Parent Replacement Act,” raising the prospect that the amendment’s passage would override parental decision-making on medical issues such as transgender health care and vaccines. (The amendment’s architects say that it would have no impact on medical decisions involving minors.)

Filings show that the bulk of the group’s funding so far has come from the anti-abortion activist Carol N. Crossed, vice president of the New York chapter of Feminists Choosing Life, and the author of a book about the women’s suffrage movement entitled “Vintage Tweets: Suffrage Era Postcards.”

Amending the Constitution in New York is a multiyear process requiring the approval of two separately-elected legislatures, as well as a voter referendum. From the outset, the Democrats’ goal was to get the initiative on the ballot in 2024, when they predicted higher turnout would ease its passage.

But even in heavily Democratic New York, no ballot measure is a sure bet. In 2021, an initiative to expand voting by mail that Democrats considered a fait accompli was defeated after a well-funded opposition campaign from the state Conservative Party.

The loss has haunted New York Democrats, who are determined not to repeat the mistake.

Last year, a coalition called New Yorkers for Equal Rights announced they intended to raise $20 million to support the initiative . Carolyn Maloney, a former congresswoman who is now the president of the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women, stepped in to assist with the fund-raising effort.

Recent changes to campaign finance rules further raised expectations for the fund, which organizers said would be spent on mailers, television ads and organizing. But the most recent available filings with the State Board of Elections show that in its first year, the coalition raised just $1.2 million.

Organizers said that they were not concerned with the slow progress on fund-raising, which they said would continue to ramp up as the election neared.

“New Yorkers are clear; they see the threats,” said Sasha Neha Ahuja, campaign director for the coalition, which includes the New York Civil Liberties Union, the New York Immigration Coalition, 1199 S.E.I.U. and the N.A.A.C.P. “They see what’s happening in Florida. They see what’s happening in Arizona.”

In the past months, the campaign has stepped up efforts, organizing 25 days of action alongside grass-roots groups from Long Island to Buffalo.

For now, Democrats may have to divert their energy to challenging the court ruling of Justice Daniel J. Doyle, a Republican in Livingston County, about 60 miles east of Buffalo. The judge ruled that Democratic leadership in New York had failed to receive an opinion from the state attorney general — a necessary step before amending the State Constitution.

Proponents of the amendment noted that lawmakers had followed the same process used in 18 past ballot initiatives, half of which are now law.

Chris Browne, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, was unimpressed with the Legislature’s defense that this was how these things had been done for years. His argument was simple, he said — their way was wrong.

“It’s not that complex,” Mr. Browne said.“ They could have avoided this if they had followed the process.”

Even if Democrats had followed proper procedure, Marjorie Byrnes, a Republican assemblywoman and one of the plaintiffs in the case, said that the amendment was being fueled by overblown concerns about women’s health and abortion.

Neither issue, she said, needed to be protected by the Constitution. “The Democrats control both houses, they control the governor’s mansion,” she said. “They don’t need a constitutional amendment.”

But Senator Liz Krueger, one of the primary architects of the amendment, said that the Republicans were misrepresenting what it would do. She said the underlying message was that New Yorkers should “not be discriminated against based on gender, which I’m very comfortable explaining to people and I think the vast majority of New Yorkers, frankly, regardless of party, don’t really have an issue with.”

An earlier version of this article misspelled the surname of a lawyer for opponents of the Equal Rights Amendment. He is Chris Browne, not Brown.

How we handle corrections

Grace Ashford covers New York government and politics for The Times. More about Grace Ashford

Claire Fahy reports on New York City and the surrounding area for The Times. She can be reached at [email protected]. More about Claire Fahy

Politics in the New York Region

Limiting Donations to Israel: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who rarely wades into state politics, publicly backed a bill  that could strip New York nonprofits of their tax-exempt status if their funds are used to support Israel’s military or settlements.

Transgender Student-Athlete Rules: A parent group in New York City asked for a review of rules that let students play on sports teams that align with their gender identity. Democratic officials responded angrily .

Equal Rights Amendment: As Election Day approaches, the proposed amendment to the State Constitution has become a divisive culture-war issue  that encompasses abortion, discrimination and transgender athletes.

Office of Cannabis Management: The head of New York State’s cannabis agency will step down at the end of his three-year term in September as part of an overhaul of the embattled agency , Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

A Thorny Mayoral Race: Zellnor Myrie, an Afro-Latino state senator from Brooklyn known for backing progressive causes, announced that he is moving to challenge  Mayor Eric Adams in next year’s Democratic primary in New York City.