Structural racism, racial empathy and diversity

Question

Statistics reveal that the most common type of hate crime within the US is motivated by anti-black and African American sentiment (Statista, 2022)

Now the APA has revealed more research that reveals a link between the denial of structural racism and being less open to diversity as well as displaying less racial empathy and anti-black prejudice.

The same results were not observed for those who say they 'ignore' race as the results showed that those who made this claim were more open to ideology despite both categories forming 'colourblind racial ideology'.

Method:

The researchers utilised 83 previous studies which included more than 25,000 participants. The two options either denying structural racism or 'ignoring' race fall under the same ideology but as the research showed produced two very different outcomes with those suggesting that they ignored race being more open to diversity.

Lead researcher Jacqueline Yi suggested one of the ways in which denial of structural racism is so dangerous:

"The denial of structural racism appears to be a big barrier to racial equity because it allows for more victim-blaming explanations of systemic inequality,” Yi said. “The more that BIPOC [Black, indigenous and people of color] individuals are blamed for racial disparities, the less likely it is for white people and institutions to take responsibility for the continued effects of systemic racism."

Yi does state however that 'ignoring' race is still a pernicious form of racism as this may present a barrier to becoming actively involved in helping to alleviate the effects of systemic racism as well as changing the underlying foundations upon which, this structural racism sits.

References:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/737681/number-of-racial-hate-crimes-in-the-us-by-race/

American Psychological Association. (2022, May 23). Denial of structural racism linked to anti-Black prejudice [Press release]. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2022/05/denial-structural-racism-antiblack-prejudice

M · Accepted Answer

America don't acknowledge racism. But it's every sector is designed to give privilege to White people. If you are black or person of color you can't live in certain areas, banks won't give you loan. American racism whispers while other countries racism are blatant. Thank you for sharing this article with us and shedding light on this important topic.

Daniel Sumner · Answer

I doubt it's just the US, the painful truth is that here in the UK we have as much systemic racism. The football revealed as much when individuals such as Marcus Rashford was subjected to terrible abuses along with other players for missing a penalty.

You're absolutely right about the level of injustice prevalent, and this is why psychological research into the nature of in-groups and out-groups can proves so beneficial. Society needs a mirror and all can share in assembling that mirror in order for society to look at itself clearly and make changes.

Daniel Sumner · Answer

@ayesha naymat Thanks for sharing😁

M · Answer

@Daniel Sumner I am just going to drop this quote by Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), if we apply it, there would be no racism in the whole world.

"There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over an Arab. Neither is the white superior over the black, nor is the black superior over the white -- except by piety."

Daniel Sumner · Answer

@michelle crowley Fascinating and personal insight. From a psychological perspective, that certainly has been an issue, and I'm pleased that it's recognised in the WERID acronym and researchers can now recognise it and move beyond a purely privileged and white perspective.

While out and out racism may be not as prevalent as you suggest, certain experiements are interesting like the unconscious attribution tests which revealed it took longer for white people to attribute positive attributes to POC. The winds of social change has been incredibly interesting to observe.