The term "racial discrimination" refers to the practice of treating people differently based on their race. The spelling of this word is represented by the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /ˈreɪʃl dɪˌskrɪmɪˈn eɪ ʃən/. The first syllable is pronounced as "ray", and the second syllable is "shul". The digraph "sc" is pronounced as "sk", while the vowel in the third syllable is schwa. The final syllable is pronounced as "shun". This spelling accurately reflects the pronunciation of this common term.
Racial discrimination refers to the unjust, unfavorable treatment or unequal conditions faced by individuals or groups based on their race, ethnicity, or national origin. It involves the act of singling out and treating individuals differently based on their racial background, perpetuating inequality and marginalization.
This form of discrimination can manifest in various ways, including but not limited to limiting access to educational, employment, and housing opportunities; biased hiring practices; racial profiling; unequal pay; denying social services or benefits; and denying equal protection under the law. Racial discrimination is often rooted in prejudice, stereotypes, and biases, resulting in systemic or institutionalized discrimination that can persist across generations.
The impacts of racial discrimination are wide-ranging and can have profound psychological, social, and economic effects on individuals and groups. It can lead to diminished self-esteem, restricted socio-economic mobility, and exclusion from participation in societal resources and decision-making processes.
Efforts to combat racial discrimination have been promoted through national and international laws, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, constitutions, and anti-discrimination legislation. Organizations, advocacy groups, and activists work towards raising awareness, promoting equality, challenging discriminatory practices, and changing societal attitudes in order to eradicate racial discrimination and promote justice, equality, and inclusivity for all individuals, regardless of their racial background.
The word "racial" comes from the noun "race", which dates back to the 16th century. It originated from the Middle French word "race" or the Italian word "razza", both meaning "nation, breed, or lineage". In turn, these words can be traced back to the Latin word "ratio", meaning "a group of individuals with common features".
The term "discrimination" stems from the Latin word "discriminatio", which means "distinguishing" or "making a distinction". It first appeared in the English language in the late 17th century, taking on the sense of unfair or prejudicial treatment based on one's characteristics or circumstances.