Race

Ahmad and Craig proceed to discuss:

'scientific racism' (inherent superiority of certain races over others - was used to justify imperialism - now largely discredited by both biologists & social scientists);

'psychological approach to racism', through which 'multiculturalism' has shaped much social policy discourse (i.e. racism is located in cultural difference, but in terms of policy, this conception can only articulate arguments for tolerance of difference, rather than for equality of treatment, resources or outcomes).

'anti-racism' as the approach to combating inequalities was based on the notion of institutionalized racism (rather than individual prejudice) and emphasized the need to challenge and change structures and procedures, championed in the 1980s by 'left' authorities e.g. the GLC (Greater London Council).

And in 2000... the 'Commission on the Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain' agued that, in the context of the equal worth of all citizens, regardless of colour, gender, ethnicity... that Britain could move towards becoming "a society in which all citizens and communities feel valued" (Parekh, 2000).

Why the inverted commas? 'Race' is a problematic concept. (By 'problematic' we mean a term that is not easy to define and where there is a lack of consensus about what it means. Blakemore, 2003:29). Because there is no definitive statement/agreement about precisely what is refers to or encompasses, it is usually written in inverted commas: 'race'.

Dictionary definition?

'Race' n. 1. a group of people of common ancestry, distinguished from others by physical characteristics, such as hair type, colour of eyes and skin, stature, etc. Principal races are Caucasoid. Mongoloid,