Is racism still a problem today? Many people are unsure. In a recent poll, over half of British adults thought ethnic minorities faced less discrimination than White people. Similar trends appear in the US, where a Gallup poll showed that slightly more than half of White Americans believed racism against Black people exists, yet nearly half also thought racism against Whites is widespread.
This division is troubling. Politicians often claim to be experts on racism, but many lack real expertise. They may be as confused as the average citizen about these complex issues. For instance, Black MPs Kim Johnson and Dawn Butler believe that institutions like the British police are inherently racist, especially given their personal experiences. They were stopped under questionable circumstances but felt the police quickly lost interest once they identified themselves as MPs. In contrast, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch acknowledges some racism but argues against viewing it as a pervasive issue. She believes discussing her race brings unnecessary politics into the conversation.
The discussion about racism is often polarized, creating confusion about what is true. Reliable data is essential in scientific discussions. For instance, decades of rigorous research have shown that racism affects various aspects of life, from hiring practices to healthcare access.
A study by Valentina Di Stasio and Anthony Heath in 2019 revealed a stark disparity in job callbacks based on names. Candidates with Black-sounding names received callbacks only 12.3% of the time compared to 24.1% for White-sounding names. Their broader analysis showed that Black Caribbean applicants needed to apply for roughly 50% more jobs than their White counterparts to receive similar responses.
Those who deny the existence of racism often cite studies or government reports that claim no systemic racism. But these don’t negate overwhelming empirical evidence showing a significant advantage for White individuals in similar circumstances. The challenge lies in identifying the sources of bias, as many people do not see themselves as racist. In a study where participants rated their racial attitudes, everyone scored themselves above average, which contradicts the basic understanding of averages.
The concept of “unconscious bias” has gained popularity, but it isn’t the same as “implicit bias,” the term originally used by psychologists like Anthony Greenwald. Implicit bias includes tendencies people may not consciously recognize. This means even those who don’t admit to prejudice might act in biased ways based on societal influences.
Researcher Natalie Daumeyer found that framing bias as “unconscious” reduced concern among participants. This shows that when people don’t see their behavior as conscious, they’re less likely to feel accountable, leading to a decrease in efforts to combat bias.
Some public figures, like Morgan Freeman and Idris Elba, advocate for a “color-blind” approach, believing that ignoring race can help eliminate racism. However, studies suggest a color-blind attitude can actually increase racism. A recent study by myself and colleagues showed that more color-blind attitudes correlated positively with higher levels of both explicit and implicit racism. Simply put, people who claim to be color-blind are often more biased against racial differences.
As we see events unfold, such as the US Supreme Court’s recent decisions on affirmative action, it’s clear that ignoring racism won’t make it go away. A society that claims to be “more color-blind” is likely just choosing to overlook the ongoing issue of racism.
Racism is a complex problem rooted deeply in society. We can’t just ignore it; we need to confront it head-on with clear evidence and a commitment to equality for all.
