Forms of racism
Forms of Racism – and How You Can Stand Up Against Them
Racism is when people are treated as less valuable because of their perceived “origin,” skin color, language, religion, nationality, or “ethnicity.”
This happens through devaluation, exclusion, or unequal treatment—sometimes very openly (insults, attacks), and sometimes in hidden ways (jokes, “strange” rules, sweeping assumptions).
Racism is not simply a “matter of opinion” or an “exaggeration.” It is a pattern of prejudice that has real consequences—for those affected and often for society as a whole.
Forms of Racism
1) Biological/“Classical” Racism (Pseudoscience)
What is it about?
People are ranked according to supposedly “natural” differences. This may sometimes sound like “knowledge,” but it is not scientifically valid.
How can you recognize it?
- Claims about “genes,” “races,” or supposedly innate intelligence/criminality
- “Evidence” without credible sources or with fabricated statistics
Examples:
- “Certain groups are naturally less intelligent.”
- “You can tell by looking at them that they are more dangerous.”
- “Races” are biologically different and therefore have different “value.”
2) Cultural Racism
What is it about?
Instead of biology, a particular “culture” is portrayed as unchangeable, and this is then used to claim that certain people “do not belong.” In this way, exclusion is justified without explicitly referring to “race.”
How can you recognize it?
- Generalizations such as “they just have different values”
- Demands for complete assimilation (“They should completely change”)
Examples:
- “You can’t change the culture—they’re just like that.”
- “Anyone from X is automatically unreliable.”
- “Integration never works with them, no matter what you do.”
3) Religious Racism (e.g., Anti-Muslim Racism)
What is it about?
People are labeled as “foreign” or “dangerous” because of their religion—or an assumed religion. Religion and “ethnic/origin groups” are often mixed together.
How can you recognize it?
- Generalizations (“all…”)
- Strong suspicion without any connection to the individual person
Examples:
- “Muslims all want to … anyway.” (generalization)
- “Someone is dangerous because they belong to a particular religion.”
- “Everyone from country X automatically supports extremism.”
4) Institutional/Structural Racism
What is it about?
Racism can arise through rules, procedures, or routines within institutions—even when individual employees do not have “bad” intentions. The result is that affected people systematically receive fewer opportunities.
How can you recognize it?
- The same rules → but unequal effects
- Recurring disadvantages (e.g., in schools, employment, housing, or policing)
- Complaints are ignored or incidents have no consequences
Examples:
- Applications with a “foreign-sounding name” are systematically treated less favorably.
- At schools, certain students are “constantly suspected” or punished more severely.
- Police carry out more checks on certain groups without a valid reason.
5) Everyday Racism
What is it about?
Small, “everyday” actions that demean people or constantly single them out, observe them, or comment on them. This may seem harmless—but it is not, especially when it happens repeatedly.
How can you recognize it?
- “Jokes” that only work when a particular group is being laughed at
- Constant questioning (“Where are you really from?”)
Examples:
- “Where are you really from?” despite the person saying, “I was born here.”
- “You speak very good German” as a constant compliment or standard remark.
- People are treated as if they “do not belong” because of their appearance.
6) Verbal Racism (Insults & Devaluation)
What is it about?
Racist language: insults, threats, derogatory terms, or public incitement of hatred.
How can you recognize it?
- Direct insults targeting someone’s origin, religion, or skin color
- Threatening or intimidating statements
Examples:
- Racist slurs in group chats or in the classroom.
- “You are all criminals” / “You are all like that.”
- “I’ll get you/your group …” (threat)
7) Stereotyping & “Othering”
What is it about?
People are portrayed as “different” and excluded from what is considered normal society. Stereotypes are often used (“they are just like that”).
How can you recognize it?
- Stereotypical roles instead of seeing people as individuals
- Constant use of “us” versus “them”
Examples:
- Someone is automatically assumed to be part of the “help/service staff” (“You can clean this up…”).
- “That’s just how they are” is used to explain conflicts, while similar problems involving “us” are treated differently.
- People are treated as “permanent outsiders,” even though they live here.
8) Racism Through Discrimination in Access to Opportunities (Unequal Treatment)
What is it about?
People affected by racism are disadvantaged in real-life decisions involving schools, jobs, housing, sports, or government authorities.
How can you recognize it?
- Repeated rejection without plausible reasons
- “We’ll get back to you” followed by no response—especially when this happens disproportionately to certain groups
Examples:
- Certain groups are more frequently dismissed or disciplined without an objective reason.
- An apartment is given to someone else despite identical criteria.
- At school, some students receive lower grades despite comparable performance “because …”
9) Media & Visual Racism (Representation in Film, Advertising, Social Media)
What is it about?
Racist patterns can be normalized through representation: People appear as perpetrators or victims in stereotypical roles or are dehumanized.
How can you recognize it?
- A particular group is repeatedly associated with crime or extremism
- Lack of diversity in roles (who speaks, who leads, who is taken seriously?)
Examples:
- Advertising shows only certain groups in “lower-level” roles.
- TikToks/memes repeatedly associate a particular origin with being “dangerous” or “fraudulent.”
- News coverage repeatedly links images of a particular group with “trouble/crime.”
10) Online Racism (Hate Speech, Bullying, Coordinated Attacks)
What is it about?
Hate on the internet: comments, hashtags, meme accounts, targeted attacks, and online pile-ons. Even “extreme” content can sometimes hide behind claims of being “a joke” or “satire.”
How can you recognize it?
- Blanket hatred (“all…”), dehumanization
- Coordinated waves involving many accounts and the same message
Examples:
- Racist insults in the comments below a video.
- Fake stories about “criminal groups” designed to exploit fears.
- Doxxing/threats (“We’ll find you” + information about your origin/photo).
11) Racist Violence and Threats
What is it about?
Physical attacks, persecution, or threats because someone is perceived as belonging to a particular group.
How can you recognize it?
- “You are like this because …” → followed by violence
- Specific threats or attacks
Examples:
- Someone is attacked in a schoolyard because they wear religious clothing or speak with an accent.
- A threat such as: “If you are here, something will happen …” with a reference to the person’s origin.
- A group is followed on the way home with a racist motive.
Negative Consequences of Racism for Victims
- Fear & constant stress: Many people feel constantly watched or unsafe.
- Psychological distress: Anger, helplessness, shame, and depressive thoughts.
- Social consequences: Withdrawal, avoiding conflict, fewer friendships or less participation.
- Educational/employment disadvantages: Fewer opportunities and more frequent devaluation or discrimination.
- Safety risks: In the worst cases, violence or threats.
How You Can Stand Up Against Racism (Arguments That Work)
1) Expose Generalizations
Typical racist logic: “Group = characteristic”
Good counterarguments:
- “One individual does not represent an entire group.”
- “You are confusing someone’s behavior with their background.”
2) Humanity Instead of Categories
- “Every person is an individual. Someone’s background does not determine their character.”
- “You are attacking a person—and calling it an opinion.”
3) Take Emotions Seriously While Taking a Clear Stand
If someone is angry, you can say:
- “I understand that this makes you angry. But insulting generalizations will not solve the problem.”
4) “What If …?”
- “Would it be okay to say the same thing about you? Would you consider it acceptable then?”
5) Ask for Evidence When Claims Are Made
- “What is your source? Is there evidence, or is this just a stereotype?”
- “Are you talking about individual cases or an entire group?”
6) When There Is Hate Speech: Set a Boundary Instead of Debating
With clear hate speech, it is often more effective to say:
- “Stop. We don’t talk like that.”
- “If you speak like that, I’m not continuing this conversation.”
Recommendations: How to Respond to Racism Legally & Emotionally
Legal/Practical
- Document it: Screenshots, links, date/time, profile names.
- Report it:
- To the platform (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, X)
- To the school/workplace/event organizer (if it happens in person)
- To a reporting platform (e.g., Netzmelden.de)
- Be a witness instead of looking away: Support the person affected and get a supervisor, teacher, or coach involved.
- Seek advice: Anti-discrimination agencies and organizations supporting people affected by right-wing extremism or online hate (locally).
- In cases of threats/attacks: Contact emergency services or the local police/protection services immediately.
- Legal advice (in serious cases): For example, cease-and-desist measures or filing a report, depending on the country and situation.
Emotional/Social (Without Creating a “Victim Role”)
- Do not leave the person alone: Approach them and offer support.
- De-escalate without giving in: Stay calm, be clear, and set boundaries.
- Use clear stop phrases: For example, “That is racist. Stop.”
- Ask without putting pressure on them: “Would you like me to report it or come with you to speak to the teacher?”
- Protect the person affected: Do not pressure them to provide details if it makes them uncomfortable.
- Take a stand together: Acting as a group is often stronger and safer.
- Strengthen the community: Support projects, teams, and groups with clear rules against hate.
