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229 Racism Essay Topics

Racism is a vast theme to explore and comprises many thought-provoking issues. Here, we collected the most interesting racism essay topics, with which you can investigate the issue of racism. We recommend you explore the historical roots of racism and the systemic structures that sustain it. Use our research topics about racism to write a paper on racial identity, cultural diversity, or the role of education in combatting racism.

✊ TOP 7 Essay Topics about Racism

🏆 best racism essay topics, 👍 racism topics for essay & research, 📌 easy research topics about racism, 🎓 interesting racism essay titles, ✍️ racism essay topics for college, ❓ more essay topics about racism.

• Portrayal of Racism in Forster’s ‘a Passage to India’
• Examples of Racism in The Great Gatsby
• Racism and Injustice in “Monster” Novel by Myers
• Racism: “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah
• Racism and Its Effects on Our Society
• Sociological Perspectives on Racism
• Racism in Ken Liu’s “The Paper Menagerie”
• Impact of Kendrick Lamar Music on Racism The essay hypothesizes that Lamar’s music has conducted to a progress in abolishing racism by cultivating tolerant attitude in the society towards Afro-American population.
• Racism in Nivea’s “White Is Purity” Ad Campaign In its recent international marketing campaign, Nivea used an advertisement to promote an antiperspirant. The slogan “White is purity” was regarded by the public as rather racist.
• Racism: “The White Man’s Burden” by Rudyard Kipling The main consequence of Kipling’s “The White Man’s Burden” is that it promotes and spreads the paradigm of White racism and prejudices through a literary approach.
• Colorblind Racism in “The Help” Film The Help, a film based on a novel of the same name, can be employed to exemplify multiple patterns, including colorblindness, although not all of them are criticized in the work.
• Racism and Pessimism in Wilson’s Play “Fences” August Wilson’s play “Fences” exemplifies the detrimental impacts of racial discrimination on the well-being of ethnic and racial minorities.
• Racism in “Native Son” by Richard Wright Racism does not vanish when Whites are able to convince themselves that they are no longer villains, consciously promoting negative attitude about minorities.
• Racism in “Being Brought From Africa to America” and “A Letter From Phyllis Wheatley” Both poems “Being Brought From Africa to America” and “A Letter From Phyllis Wheatley” are great reflections on the racism issue, and even now, their demand is not decreasing.
• Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice One should not tolerate that a certain percentage of city residents live in much worse environmental conditions than all others – it is necessary to modernize the industry.
• Racism: Black Lives Matter Central Idea Black Lives Matter’s central idea is to point out the unfair treatment of this ethnicity in the United States. The BLM movement highlights the implicit biases.
• The Impact of Racism on Globalization Racism is a great impediment to globalization, the bad blood between the said people of color and those of no color has dealt a big blow to development.
• Overcoming Racism in Environmental Decision Making Building a city for humans to live requires the construction of many industrial sites, living next to which is unsafe, thus ethnic minorities would be the ones predominately living there.
• Racism and Discrimination towards African-Americans Racism and discrimination of the African-Americans in the United States of America have been a major issue that began way back during the colonial and slavery era.
• Racism & Sexism: Black Women’s Experiences in Tennis Research suggests that exclusion and discrimination strategies are still being used to limit the chances and advancement accessible to colored minority groups.
• Diversity, Racism, and Identity in the United States American society experiences a new wave of disagreements and debates on the most fundamental topics of American democracy functioning.
• The Theoretical Origin of the Concept of Racism The paper raises the topic of the theoretical origin of the concept of racism. The initial understanding of racism has undergone significant changes.
• Racial Injustice, Racial Discrimination, and Racism Racial injustice is a serious issue in today’s society. It has negative effects on a multitude of people’s personal and social development.
• The Phenomenon of Racism The purpose of this paper is to discuss the texts of Anzaldúa, Fayad, Smith and Roppolo, who have addressed the topic of racism.
• Internal Racism in the Movie Amreeka Refusal to an individual to work, based solely on nationality, is an example of how xenophobia meets its modern manifestation.
• The Trauma of Enduring Racism and Ethnic Hatred: They Called Us Enemy This essay aims to discuss the effects of racism and ethnic hatred, as illustrated in the story They Called Us Enemy by George Takei.
• Causes of Racism and Racial Discrimination Racism refers to the institution of prejudice against other people based on a particular racial or ethnic group membership. Racial bias causes low self-esteem.
• Institutional Racism Against Native Americans: The Killers of the Flower Moon David Grann published The Killers of the Flower Moon about the murders in Oklahoma in the 1920s and contributed to the creation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• Rasism in the USA: Personal Experience The fight against ethnicity and racism still has a long way to go and not unless everyone develops a new mentality, the world will remain a venue filled with racism.
• Racism in “Get Out” Movie: Rhetorical Discussion The “Get Out” film’s primary medium is the modern illustration of a slave plantation, where the owners are represented as Caucasian people.
• Racism in the “Devil in a Blue Dress” Film The film Devil in a Blue Dress introduces many topics for discussion, including the racial problem in the United States.
• Racism Issue in the Play “A Raisin in the Sun” by Bill Duke The renowned play A Raisin in the Sun, directed by Bill Duke, depicts the challenges and biases endured by black families in America.
• Racism Against the Blacks in the UK The UK is one of the most ethnically diversified countries, with residents from different parts of the world and various cultural backgrounds.
• Overcoming Racism in the United States in the 1960s This paper will discuss how rampant racism prevented U.S. society in the 1960s from progressing forward as a nation.
• James Baldwin’s Essays on Racism and Slavery By studying Baldwin’s reflection on the nature of racism, its link to slavery, and its traces in the American community, one can understand the nature of modern racism.
• Racism and Oppression in “Native Son” by Wright The book Native Son is an engaging book by Wright that gives astonishing accounts relating to racism, segregation, and oppression.
• Racism: Scene for Screenplay Illustrating Racism A scene for screenplay – a father-son after school conversation about racism. The boy wanted to join the group, but two boys were against it because the boy is black.
• Racism: A Party Down at the Square Ellison’s narrative, A party down at the square, depicts public lynching at Southern point. It gives the reasons we must all stand for equality and eradicate racism.
• Environmental Racism: Analyzing the Phenomenon The evolution of the industry, the rise of the consumer society, and the unwise use of resources placed people in a disaster because of the deterioration of the environment.
• Examining Racism in American 21st Century Society Although racism is no longer outrightly practiced as it used to be two hundred years ago, it has evolved and manifested in different forms.
• Racism and Social Injustice in Warriors Don’t Cry The book under consideration illustrates some of the strategies African Americans used to address racism in the United States in the first part of the twentieth century
• Ethnocentrism and Racism in Child Development The case of a 14-year-old biracial girl will be analyzed to investigate the effects of ethnocentrism and racism in child development, especially during the adolescent period.
• Racism and Ethnicity in the US Race and ethnicity in the United States are not based on any spelled out criteria and consequently, various people may label a certain group of people variously.
• Racism Against Afro-Americans in Wilson’s “Fences” Play Fences is a play by August Wilson, an American playwright, a Pulitzer’s laureate, who wrote about the life of African Americans in different periods of the 20th century.
• Racism and Its Definition Challenge As much as there are efforts by everybody and the whole society at large to fight racism, people have forgotten some underlying aspects and traits.
• Symbolism and Racism in Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” In the book “To Kill a Mockingbird,” symbolism has been used as the vessel by which racism is expressed indirectly, so readers explore the meaning behind such symbols.
• Impact of Anti-Racism Campaigns in English League Football Racism trickles into every facet of people’s lives, causing members of ethnically and racially diverse communities to experience challenges and injustice.
• Colorblind Racism in Modern Society Colorblind racism is a real and widespread phenomenon of being passive, dismissive, and non-acknowledging of existing race-related issues among marginalized and oppressed groups.
• The Portrayal of Racism in Literary Works Each work reveals different aspects of racism in America, from social discrimination and segregation to economic exploitation.
• Racism in Foster’s “Elegy of Color”, Hurston’s “Sweat,” and Wilson’s “Fences” This research focuses on Foster’s poem “Elegy of Color,” Hurston’s book “Sweat,” and Wilson’s play “Fences” which provide a historical context for the understanding of racism.
• Modern Discrimination: Racism in the USA In the USA, there still exists widespread racism despite campaigns against the vice. People are subjected to discrimination because of differences in factors such as gender.
• Racism Against African Americans and Its Effects Racism has significantly affected African-Americans’ social status due to negative perceptions and biases held concerning them.
• Racism in Modern Canada: Taking Action as a Helping Professional Cases of racial and ethnic discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, which occur daily, impede the improvement of the lives of millions of people around the world.
• Health Care Policy: Eliminating Systemic Racism The paper states that the policy can be considered a stepping stone for meaningful change in eliminating systemic racism from the healthcare industry.
• On White Privilege, Colorblindness, and Racism Critical Race Theory (CRT) is one of the approaches that attempt to address the issue of racism by identifying and investigating perpetual racial injustices.
• Experiences of Institutional Racism at an Early Age The paper examines how experiences of institutional racism at an early age translate to orientations towards activism in the black community.
• Racism, Social-Economic Status, and the Dominant Story Disparities in the distribution of social benefits such as education, healthcare, and employment are among the dominant stories in the United States (US).
• Racism in Toni Morrison’s “Recitatif” Like Morrison’s other work, Recitatif focuses on the issue of prejudice and racial identity. However, in the short story, the races of the main characters are concealed.
• Racism, Ethnoviolence, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder The paper states that experiencing racism can induce post-traumatic stress disorder. Most people do not draw a link between racism and PTSD.
• The Ideas and Perspectives of Literary Works About Slavery and Racism The essay aims to provide insights into opinions about the ideas and perspectives of literary works about slavery, racism, and the oppression of African-Americans.
• Racism as a Crime Racism is one of the oldest and most reprehensible forms of crime, which manifests itself in discrimination against people based on their racial or national origin. It is expressed through statements, actions, or policies that divide people. Racism creates prejudices and demonizes others, leading to a lack of access to…
• Researching of Structural Racism Structural racism presents an issue that includes several institutions. Moreover, the interconnectedness between these institutions represents a major problem for people of color.
• Racism as a Modern-Day Societal Challenge This essay analyzes racism as a modern-day societal challenge and proposes policies and measures that may help curb the issue.
• So Cal’s Water Agency: Racism, Sexual Harassment, and Retaliation So Cal’s Water Agency has reported racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation cases. Practices of unequal hiring have been experienced by employees in this agency.
• Doping: Racism and Discrimination of Athletes The issue of discrimination is linked to the point of doping by athletes, which significantly amplifies the implications for the fundamental values of sport.
• Color-Blind Society and Racism Individuals would be seen as individuals without regard to race. This concept has been gaining traction recently.
• Asian and Latin Americans’ Experience of Racism The article discusses the similarities and differences in the experience of racism faced by Asian and Latin Americans and highlights issues such as discrimination.
• Systemic Racism in the US: Systemic Racism and America Today Discrimination in the US is an issue that has been dealt with for decades; however, there are no signs of it ending.
• Racism: How Bigotry and Hate Runs Through History Courtesy of racial distinctions, the Europeans considered themselves more concrete in terms of reasoning and used racism as a convenient exploitation justification.
• Racism in Modern American Society Racism is one of the common social problems within the American community, thus incorporating competent solutions through policies.
• The Discrimination, Prejudice, and Racism Concepts This paper discusses the concepts of discrimination, prejudice, and racism, their relationship with each other, and how they affect society.
• Rebranding to Address Racism: Aunt Jemima’s Case Cultural psychology theory and research emphasize the need of looking at racism not just in the mind but also in the environment.
• Racism and Biases Based on Social Issues and Attitudes Racism is a complicated occurrence, and this essay focuses on analyzing bias based on language use, power control, social issues, and social attitudes.
• Critical Thinking and Racism in Modern Times The new definition of racism is a belief that human capacities are determined by race and that differences in race lead to one race being viewed as superior to another race.
• American Church’s Complicity in Racism This article demonstrates the theological challenge that slavery posed to the American church during the Civil War.
• Decolonization as a Response to Racism and Discrimination Decolonization as a term is often connected to the second half of the 20th century when countries of the Global South gained their formal independence from the colonial powers.
• Overcoming Racism in “The Blood of Jesus” Film Belittling the status of a person based on his gender or race is impossible and terrible in modern society, but it is the tendency of the present time.
• Imperialism and Racism During the Colonial Period This analysis of primary sources aims to demonstrate how various historical actors interpreted imperialism during different periods.
• New World Slavery and Racism in Society The effects of slavery and racial ideology can be observed even after the official abolition of this policy. There is racial discrimination in labor and health care.
• Defining Race in Brazil and Racism Reducing The intent of the Brazilian government to reduce racism are noble, but the stratified classification is creating more identity challenges and making it hard to implement programs.
• Native Americans in Schools: Effects of Racism Despite the improvement in educational policies, racism against Native Americans is still a problem in the education sector.
• Psychological Perspectives on Racism This paper provides an insight into the nature of racism and largely contributes to people’s victory over racial and ideological prejudices.
• Reconstruction in the United States: The Structural Racism The failure of the Reconstruction was unavoidable, and structural racism continued to plague the territory of the South with a higher intensity.
• “The Costs of Racism to White People” by P. Kivel The article “The Costs of Racism to White People” by Paul Kivel examines the price of racial discrimination for representatives of the white population.
• The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church’s Complicity in Racism Personality development is essential for personal growth and involves different assessments, including awareness, relationships, and commitment.
• Criminal Justice System and the Problem of Racism The issue of institutional racism continues to be prominent within the criminal justice system in England and Wales.
• Environmental Racism as Rights Infringement This paper focuses on the problem of environmental racism from the point of view of discrimination and infringement of the rights of the “oppressed” category of society.
• “Interrogating Racism: Toward an Antiracist Anthropology” and “Economics” The article “Interrogating racism: Toward antiracist anthropology” (2005) discusses the issue of racism in anthropological studies.
• Researching the History of Racism The history of racism shows that it has evolved over time. Namely, the starting point was the radicalized violent behavior of the privileged people towards discriminated ones
• Slavery and Racism: History and Linkage Slavery has changed over time; this institution in the ancient world was different from its modern forms; in particular, the Atlantic slave trade added a racial aspect to it.
• The Issues of Racism, Sexism, and Homophobia Racism, sexism, and homophobia are more evident in white communities and other religious groups that have difficulty drawing the same levels of public disgrace.
• The Asian Racism: Joel Best’s Constructivism In this essay, the social problem of modern Asian racism will be analyzed according to the framework of Joel Best’s theoretical model.
• Individual and Systemic Racism No law applies only to one race and does not apply to another. If there is a violation of the law, there is a judicial system to deal with the problem.
• Issue of Racism in Colonial Haiti The paper states that the understanding of racism in Haiti, at the time called St. Domingue, was different even among the people at the time.
• Civil Rights Movement and Construction of US Racism Racism is associated with slurs, Islamophobia, police brutality, and Donald Trump. This list signals that racism today is a more insidious, politicized form of discrimination.
• How Racism Makes Us Sick The expectations of discrimination lead to poorer health outcomes, both in the case of mental and physical health.
• Racism and Its Impact on Society Racism negatively impacts society due to its destructive nature and contributes to the division of society, although the government can liquidate it.
• Racism in Employment from Conley’s Viewpoint Racial issues can still prevent a person from getting a job or earning a decent wage, as black people are still left out because of the occupation of business by white people.
• Researching the Racism and Race Due to centuries of colonialism and the subjugation of other cultures by the European one, racism can deservedly be called the worst blight on the history of humankind.
• Racism and Prejudice: People’s Experiences The existence of prejudice and racism in present-day society shapes people’s experiences in a negative way and reduces their life chances of well-being.
• Racism, Its Origins, and Evolution Racism is a broad subject; therefore, it is crucial to explore the historical origin of the idea of race and how race and racism have evolved with time.
• American Racism, Violence, and Brutality in the 21st Century Despite the long journey from slavery to freedom, people continued to fight violence and hate crimes against the Black population in the 21st century.
• How Black Lives Matter Movement Fights Racism The paper discusses the Black Lives Matter movement. It actively fights racism and murders of black people by police officers.
• How Structural Racism Is Addressed by Open Science Structural racism is a problem that has persisted in society for a significant period. It becomes a danger and an issue requiring significant attention.
• Colorblind Racism and Race-Based Medicine Many people tend to claim that the modern United States is equal and democratic, and it is an example of colorblind life when individuals ignore racist issues.
• Analysis of Structural Racism in Healthcare The paper argues structural racism in health care is a problem with historical roots and extends far beyond the health sector.
• Socety’s Problem: Family and Racism The paper provides annotated bibliography about sociology imperfections, racism and family problems in modern world.
• The Persistence of White Racism in the United States In the present day, white Americans consider White racism a thing of the past. On the contrary, the population of color in America reports more incidents of racism.
• Racism and White Supremacy in the USA Approximately 38% of Latinos/Hispanics in the US have noted experiencing some level of harassment, discrimination, or public criticism for their ethnicity.
• Racism and White Privilege and Benefits The paper discusses and critiques how racism and white privilege can be observed as separate constructs and how they can interact.
• Systemic Racism in the United States Racism is one of those concepts the current American society tries to eliminate, and significant effort is being put into stopping discrimination against people of color.
• Dealing With the Issue of Medical Racism Racial issues in healthcare persist and continue to harm African-American people, it is possible to change the status quo by raising racial awareness and cultural sensitivity.
• Reflection on Racism as a Social Injustice “13th” is a documentary directed by Ava DuVernay, which was produced in 2016 and explored the major elements are justice, race, and mass killings in the US.
• Taking Joined Action to Confront Anti-Black Racism in Toronto The neighborhoods with the highest percentage of minorities have the lowest income per household rate, while the areas populated mostly by white Canadians thrive.
• The Climate of Social Justice, Racism, COVID-19, and Other Issues The paper argues ideas of music, culture and society are contended to be inseparably connected, which can be clarified through the space of ethnomusicology.
• Analysis of Environmental Racism in America Despite the decades-long struggle against racism, its effects are still tragically visible in present-day American society.
• From Slavery to Racism: Historical Background Racism did not spur slavery or encourage it; instead, it was used to justify a phenomenon that would exist nonetheless due to the economic situation in the world at the time.
• Cultural Racism in the Current Day The cultural-psychological perspective suggests that intervention is better aimed at large real-world, societal cues of racism.
• Racial Disparities in Healthcare Through the Lens of Systemic Racism Racism and inequality in healthcare are serious and complex issues of today’s society that must be widely addressed for them to be acknowledged and finally changed.
• Settler Society and Structural Racism The paper discusses white privilege. It is described by Johnson in detail as the process by which he used to acquire wealth.
• Comparative Analysis of Three Books about Racism The books presented in the paper reflect on race and racism from different perspectives, but they may share some sentiments.
• Social Psychology: Race, Racism, and Discrimination Understanding race, racism, and discrimination are equally important since the whole matter of race and racism revolves around the human ethnic background.
• Fighting Racism Behavior Towards the Latino Community The public health system is one of the most prominent representatives of racial inequality, which affects the state of body and mind of Americans of color.
• Ethical Considerations on Affirmative Action: Racism The high level of relevance of race issues in the United States has continuously imposed equality considerations on multiple levels of human interactions.
• Personal Connections to Racism: A Very Short Introduction The reading made me more aware of two examples of such representation: the Futurama animation series and the Native American mascot controversy.
• Environmental Justice Framework and Racism The environmental justice framework and environmental racism are related since there is a need to involve all people and treat them equally when enforcing environmental policies.
• Racism, Racial Profiling and Bias in the War on Drugs Racial profiling occurs when law enforcement bases their criminal investigations on race, ethnicity, or religion, which in the process undermines human rights and freedom.
• Eric Williams: Slavery Was Not Born Out of Racism In “Capitalism and Slavery,” Williams writes: “Slavery was not born out of racism: rather, racism was the consequence of slavery”.
• Racism in the United States of America Racism is a serious problem that has affected American society for many centuries. It can be perpetrated in an overt (direct) or covert (indirect) manner.
• Racism: Ku Klux Klan Case Study The Ku Klux Klan is considered as one of most racist and anti-Semantic group in the US, it employs all forms of techniques to achieve its interests.
• Systemic Racism and Its Impact on Development In more or less veiled forms, racism, including everyday racism, has spread quite widely in some regions and social strata and manifests itself in a variety of forms.
• Racism in the 21st Century Problem Analysis The existence of racism in modern education and healthcare systems undermines efforts to eliminate it in other areas.
• Policing Racism as a Solvable Problem: A TED Talk Goff’s TED talk video “How We Can Make Racism a Solvable Problem and Improve Policing” triggers feelings of sympathy, surprise, and disgust.
• Is Racism a Natural Condition of Human Society? The discussion around the new wave of the “Black Lives Matter” movement in the United States, for instance, proves that it stays the burning issue of most communities even today.
• Systemic Racism and the American Justice System Taking into account reliable data and recent events in the United States of America, it is evident that racial discrimination is deeply ingrained in the justice system.
• The Problems of Racism in Modern Society Racism is one of the oldest problems known to society. This paper focuses on the analysis of ideas about segregation based on data from two sources.
• Racism & Privilege Within the Social Work Setting Racism and privilege are not the same, but their relationship cannot be ignored. Racism gave birth to privilege by translating beliefs into actions.
• Carl Hart’s Talk on Racism, Poverty, and Drugs In his TED Talk, Carl Hart, a professor of neuroscience at Columbia University who studies drug addiction, exposes a relationship between racism, poverty, and drugs.
• Racism and Impact of Racial Discrimination Racial discrimination occurs in different forms such as interpersonal level as well as in institutions and organizations through procedures, policies, and practices.
• Racism, Crime and Justice and Growing-Up Bad Disproportionate discrimination of the black and Asian youths by justice and law enforcement agencies in Britain is a product of a multiplicity of factors.
• Racism Against Health Care Workers In today’s world, the damaging problem of the racial disparities keeps affecting the workers of the health care systems, as well as its patients.
• Research Methods in Psychology. Methods against Racism Actions and expressions are the two elements of being anti-racist. If one wants to shun racism, they must serve as an example by dealing with the mischief when it occurs.
• Institutional Racism Mitigation in Criminal Justice, Education, and Health Systems From the 1990s, the concept of institutional racism gained a new meaning, new to the challenges and gaps that many people from minority groups were recording.
• Institutional Racism Existing in the United States People of all skin colors are infuriated by the murders of African Americans by the racist police officers, their violence, and abuse of innocent people who did nothing wrong.
• Discrimination and Racism in Cobb County I want to tackle the problem of institutional racism in my community of Cobb County, Georgia. I decided to focus on the subject of racial relations.
• The Color Line: Racism in Dubois’ and Zinn’s Works Many blacks still live in adverse conditions and have no development opportunities. Neither a good education, nor a well-paid job, nor adequate housing are available to them.
• The Problem of Racism and Its Possible Origins The article written by Tim Parrish discusses the problem of racism, its possible origins, and steps that could be taken to lessen the issue.
• Racism and Kingdom Ethics. Main Aspects Addressing racism in the church requires critical attention. There is a need for the church to be a role model to the entire society on the ways of combating racism.
• Racism May Be Natural in Modern Society Racism as an acknowledgment of genetic and cultural diversity in the modern world is quite a feature of society.
• Racism Is the Problem of Society This paper provides evidence that racism is the problem of society, and it affects every person in the world. Racism is an issue that correlates with inequality in society.
• How is Systemic Racism Becoming a News Spectacle? This paper describes “How is Systemic Racism Becoming a News Spectacle?”, writing about its introduction, body completeness, and development, conclusions, and documentation.
• Does System Racism Exist in the USA? Centuries of racism and discrimination have made this chasm even wider for black families, cut off from the opportunities and resources available to whites.
• Persistent Racism in the United States The racial issue has always occupied a central place in American history, and a modern melting pot cannot exist without conflict.
• Racism Within the Public Health Framework In terms of the following paper, racism will be analyzed in the public health framework to outline major recommendations towards the issue resolution.
• American Psychological Association and Racism The chipping in of the APA on matters concerning racism, xenophobia and racial bigotry led to the abolition of unfair treatments to the blacks in early 2001.
• South Africa’s Handling of Racism and Ethnic Relations: How They Compare With Those of the USA The discriminative moves sparked racial tensions in both countries, both governments were obliged to formulate the strategies that advocated for rights to all citizens.
• Negro Kids: Racism in American Schools Communication is important in solving this social problem in American society because it will cause people to reexamine race relations.
• Modern Racism Concepts and Types While people may not be actually racially abusing others, race is influencing how they treat and perceive members of society.
• Racism in Campus of the Montclair State University Effect Depending on the student’s high school and neighborhood segregation, the level of diverse thinking and acknowledgment is seriously determined by these factors.
• Homophobia and Racism and Other Issues This article is well written and makes a number of excellent points with regards to homosexuality, however the article actually requests that people make a distinction between homophobia and racism.
• Fredrickson’s Racism: A Short History This book covers the many aspects of racism, the history behind the phenomenon, and how the world now views racism, whether it takes it seriously.
• Racism in Breast Cancer Treatment Cancer treatment is the least studied field that arises numerous ambiguities and requires a more sophisticated approach in studying.
• Specific Racism Against Chinese Americans In this paper discuss various elements of racism in the US. It shows how racism affects the life of Chinese Americans, and the origin of racism in the US.
• The Notion of Colorblind Racism it should be stated that the matters of racism, or as it is also called “color blind racism”, are often regarded as the strong tendency in treating the immigrants from Latin America countries.
• Racism and Social Reform Movements in the United States The end of the civil war proclaimed freedom for the black people. However, the path to the total desegregation and equal rights for the black population was a thorny path with its end still long ahead.
• Racism in Minnesota in Relation to the Klu Klux Klan
• Racism in Minnesota: Archival Research Paper
• Institutionalised Racism – Myth or Reality?
• Color-Blind Racism as a New Face of Racism in Contemporary Society
• Racism Effects in “Warriors Don’t Cry” by Melba Beals
• A Plan to Reduce Racism in Medicine
• Ethnical Ambiguousness as a Band-Aid for Racism
• America’s Band-Aid for Racism Is the Ethnically Ambiguous
• Ethnically Ambiguous – America’s Band-Aid for Racism
• Racism in American Schools: NCLB Problems
• Racism in the Contemporary America
• Workplace Racism in Public Service Organization
• American Racism in Coates’ The Case for Reparations
• Racism and Inequality in the United States
• Malcolm X and Anne Moody on Racism in the US
• Racism Against African Americans as a Social Construct
• Dismantling Institutional Racism: Effects and Possible Solutions
• Problem of Racism in the Modern World
• Dove’s Racism in Promoting New Shower Foam
• African-Americans Racism and Discrimination
• Racism and Constructing Otherness in the US
• Divisiveness and Mismatching in Anti-Racism
• Problems and Cultivation of Racism
• Racism and Masculinity in the Film “A Soldier’s Story”
• Racism Problem at Institutional and Interactional Levels
• Racism in the United States Judicial System
• American Racism in “Men We Reaped” by Jesmyn Ward
• Racism in the Music Video: Locked Up and Styles P
• Racism in America: Discrimination and Prejudice
• Racism Causes and Impacts in America
• Racism in American Schools
• Racism in America between 1783 and 1836
• Racism in American Education
• Racism as “The Case for Reparations” by Coates
• What Extent Can Racism Be Prevented in Society?
• How Educational Institutions Perpetuate Racism?
• How Does Racism and Prejudice Affect America?
• Does Affirmative Action Solve Racism?
• Does Racism Exist Still?
• Has Racism Gotten Better in the Modern World?
• How Different Young Australians Experience Racism?
• Have You Experienced Racism in Korea?
• What Contribution Has Science Made to the Development of Racism?
• How Does Racism Influence Genocide?
• Did You Know That Racism No Longer Exists?
• How Does Racism Really Play?
• Does Huck Finn Represent Racism?
• How Does Racism Affect the Way of a Caste Like System?
• Does Brexit Trigger Racism?
• Do Racism and Discrimination Still Exist Today?
• What Causes Racism Persists?
• How Does John Steinbeck Portray Racism in “Of Mice and Men”?
• Did Hurricane Katrina Expose Racism in America?
• Did Secession and Racism Be So Intimately Connect?
• What Contribution Has Psychoanalytic Theory Made to Our Political Understanding of Racism?
• How Cultural Elements and History Have Created and Are Changing Racism in Brazil?
• How Does Racism Affect Society?
• Has Racism Today Changed Since the 1950s?
• How Fake News Use Satire as a Medium to Address Issues on Racism?
• Did Slavery Cause Racism?
• Are Indian Mascots Racism?
• Did Racism Precede Slavery?
• How Might Christians Put Their Beliefs About Racism Into Action?
• How Are American-Bron Chinese Faced With Racism in America?

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These essay examples and topics on Racism were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on June 24, 2024 .

Home — Blog — Topic Ideas — Essay Topics on Racism: 150 Ideas for Analysis and Discussion

Essay Topics on Racism: 150 Ideas for Analysis and Discussion

Here’s a list of 150 essay ideas on racism to help you ace a perfect paper. The subjects are divided based on what you require!

Before we continue with the list of essay topics on racism, let's remember the definition of racism. In brief, it's a complex prejudice and a form of discrimination based on race. It can be done by an individual, a group, or an institution. If you belong to a racial or ethnic group, you are facing being in the minority. As it's usually caused by the group in power, there are many types of racism, including socio-cultural racism, internal racism, legal racism, systematic racism, interpersonal racism, institutional racism, and historical racism. You can also find educational or economic racism as there are many sub-sections that one can encounter.

150 Essay Topics on Racism to Help You Ace a Perfect Essay

General Recommendations

The subject of racism is one of the most popular among college students today because you can discuss it regardless of your academic discipline. Even though we are dealing with technical progress and the Internet, the problem of racism is still there. The world may go further and talk about philosophical matters, yet we still have to face them and explore the challenges. It makes it even more difficult to find a good topic that would be unique and inspiring. As a way to help you out, we have collected 150 racism essay topics that have been chosen by our experts. We recommend you choose something that motivates you and narrow things down a little bit to make your writing easier.

Why Choose a Topic on Racial Issues? 

When we explore racial issues, we are not only seeking the most efficient solutions but also reminding ourselves about the past and the mistakes that we should never make again. It is an inspirational type of work as we all can change the world. If you cannot choose a topic that inspires you, think about recent events, talk about your friend, or discuss something that has happened in your local area. Just take your time and think about how you can make the world a safer and better place.

The Secrets of a Good Essay About Racism 

The secret to writing a good essay on racism is not only stating that racism is bad but by exploring the origins and finding a solution. You can choose a discipline and start from there. For example, if you are a nursing student, talk about the medical principles and responsibilities where every person is the same. Talk about how it has not always been this way and discuss the methods and the famous theorists who have done their best to bring equality to our society. Keep your tone inspiring, explore, and tell a story with a moral lesson in the end. Now let’s explore the topic ideas on racism!

General Essay Topics On Racism 

As we know, no person is born a racist since we are not born this way and it cannot be considered a biological phenomenon. Since it is a practice that is learned and a social issue, the general topics related to racism may include socio-cultural, philosophical, and political aspects as you can see below. Here are the ideas that you should consider as you plan to write an essay on racial issues:

• Are we born with racial prejudice? 
• Can racism be unlearned? 
• The political constituent of the racial prejudice and the colonial past? 
• The humiliation of the African continent and the control of power. 
• The heritage of the Black Lives Matter movement and its historical origins. 
• The skin color issue and the cultural perceptions of the African Americans vs Mexican Americans. 
• The role of social media in the prevention of racial conflicts in 2022 . 
• Martin Luther King Jr. and his role in modern education. 
• Konrad Lorenz and the biological perception of the human race. 
• The relation of racial issues to nazism and chauvinism.

The Best Racism Essay Topics 

School and college learners often ask about what can be considered the best essay subject when asked to write on racial issues. Essentially, you have to talk about the origins of racism and provide a moral lesson with a solution as every person can be a solid contribution to the prevention of hatred and racial discrimination.

• The schoolchildren's example and the attitude to the racial conflicts. 
• Perception of racism in the United States versus Germany. 
• The role of the scouting movement as a way to promote equality in our society. 
•  Social justice and the range of opportunities that African American individuals could receive during the 1960s.
•  The workplace equality and the negative perception of the race when the documents are being filed. 
•  The institutional racism and the sources of the legislation that has paved the way for injustice. 
•  Why should we talk to the children about racial prejudice and set good examples ? 
•  The role of anthropology in racial research during the 1990s in the USA. 
•  The Black Poverty phenomenon and the origins of the Black Culture across the globe. 
•  The controversy of Malcolm X’s personality and his transition from anger to peacemaking.

Shocking Racism Essay Ideas 

Unfortunately, there are many subjects that are not easy to deal with when you are talking about the most horrible sides of racism. Since these subjects are sensitive, dealing with the shocking aspects of this problem should be approached with a warning in your introduction part so your readers know what to expect. As a rule, many medical and forensic students will dive into the issue, so these topic ideas are still relevant:

• The prejudice against wearing a hoodie. 
•  The racial violence in Western Africa and the crimes by the Belgian government. 
•  The comparison of homophobic beliefs and the link to racial prejudice. 
•  Domestic violence and the bias towards the cases based on race. 
•  Racial discrimination in the field of the sex industry. 
•  Slavery in the Middle East and the modern cultural perceptions. 
•  Internal racism in the United States: why the black communities keep silent. 
•  Racism in the American schools: the bias among the teachers. 
•  Cyberbullying and the distorted image of the typical racists . 
•  The prisons of Apartheid in South Africa.

Light and Simple Ideas Regarding Racism

If you are a high-school learner or a first-year college student, your essay on racism may not have to represent complex research with a dozen of sources. Here are some good ideas that are light and simple enough to provide you with inspiration and the basic points to follow:

• My first encounter with racial prejudice. 
•  Why do college students are always in the vanguard of social campaigns? 
•  How are the racial issues addressed by my school? 
•  The promotion of the African-American culture is a method to challenge prejudice and stereotypes. 
• The history of blues music and the Black culture of the blues in the United States.
• The role of slavery in the Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. 
•  School segregation in the United States during the 1960s. 
•  The negative effect of racism on the mental health of a person. 
•  The advocacy of racism in modern society . 
•  The heritage of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and the modern perception of the historical issues.

Interesting Topics on Racism For an Essay 

Contrary to the popular belief, when you have to talk about the cases of racial prejudice, you will also encounter many interesting essay topic ideas. As long as these are related to your main academic course, you can explore them. Here are some great ideas to consider:

• Has the perception of Michael Jackson changed because of his skin transition? 
•  The perception of racial problems by the British Broadcasting Corporation. 
•  The role of the African American influencers on Instagram. 
•  The comparison between the Asian students and the Mexican learners in the USA. 
•  Latin culture and the similarities when compared to the Black culture with its peculiarities. 
•  The racial impact in the “Boy In The Stripped Pajamas”. 
•  Can we eliminate racism completely and how exactly, considering the answer is “Yes”? 
•  Scientific research of modern racism and social media campaigns. 
•  Why do some people believe that the Black Lives Matter movement is controversial? 
• Male vs female challenges in relation to racial attitudes.

Argumentative Essay Topics About Race 

An argumentative type of writing requires making a clear statement or posing an assumption that will deal with a particular question. As we are dealing with racial prejudice or theories, it is essential to support your writing with at least one piece of evidence to make sure that you can support your opinion and stand for it as you write. Here are some good African American argumentative essay examples of topics and other ideas to consider:

•  Racism is a mental disorder and cannot be treated with words alone. 
•  Analysis of the traumatic experiences based on racial prejudice. 
•  African-American communities and the sense of being inferior are caused by poverty. 
•  Reading the memoirs of famous people that describe racial issues often provides a distorted image through the lens of a single person. 
•  There is no academic explanation of racism since every case is different and is often based on personal perceptions. 
•  The negatives of the post-racial perception as the latent system that advocates racism. 
•  The link of racial origins to the concept of feminism and gender inequality. 
•  The military bias and the merits that are earned by the African-American soldiers. 
•  The media causes a negative image of the Latin and Mexican youth in the United States. 
•  Does racism exist in kindergarten and why the youngsters do not think about racial prejudice?

Racism Research Paper Topics 

Dealing with The Black Lives Matter essay , you should focus on those aspects of racism that are not often discussed or researched by the media. You can take a particular case study or talk about the reasons why the BLM social campaign has started and whether the timing has been right. Here are some interesting racism topics for research paper that you should consider:

• The link of criminal offenses to race is an example of the primary injustice .  
• The socio-emotional burdens of slavery that one can trace among the representatives of the African-American population. 
• Study of the cardio-vascular diseases among the American youth: a comparison of the Caucasian and Latin representatives. 
• The race and the politics: dealing with the racial issues and the Trump administration analysis. 
• The best methods to achieve medical equality for all people: where race has no place to be. 
• The perception of racism by the young children: the negative side of trying to educate the youngsters. 
• Racial prejudice in the UK vs the United States: analysis of the core differences. 
• The prisons in the United States: why do the Blacks constitute the majority? 
• The culture of Voodoo and the slavery: the link between the occult practices.
• The native American people and the African Americans: the common woes they share.

Racism in Culture Topics 

Racism topics for essay in culture are always upon the surface because we can encounter them in books, popular political shows, movies, social media, and more. The majority of college students often ignore this aspect because things easily become confusing since one has to take a stand and explain the point. As a way to help you a little bit, we have collected several cultural racism topic ideas to help you start:

• The perception of wealth by the Black community: why it differs when researched through the lens of past poverty?  
• The rap music and the cultural constituent of the African-American community. 
• The moral constituent of the political shows where racial jargon is being used. 
• Why the racial jokes on television are against the freedom of speech?  
• The ways how the modern media promotes racism by stirring up the conflict and actually doing harm. 
• The isolated cases of racism and police violence in the United States as portrayed by the movies. 
• Playing with the Black musicians: the history of jazz in the United States. 
• The social distancing and the perception of isolation by the different races. 
• The cultural multitude in the cartoons by the Disney Corporations: the pros and cons.
• From assimilation to genocide: can the African American child make it big without living through the cultural bias?

Racism Essay Ideas in Literature 

One of the best ways to study racism is by reading the books by those who have been through it on their own or by studying the explorations by those who can write emotionally and fight for racial equality where racism has no place to be. Keeping all of these challenges in mind, our experts suggest turning to the books as you can explore racism in the literature by focusing on those who are against it and discussing the cases in the classic literature that are quite controversial.

• The racial controversy of Ernest Hemingway's writing.  
• The personal attitude of Mark Twain towards slavery and the cultural peculiarities of the times. 
• The reasons why "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee book has been banned in libraries. 
• The "Hate You Give" by Angie Thomas and the analysis of the justified and "legit" racism. 
• Is the poetry by the gangsta rap an example of hidden racism? 
• Maya Angelou and her timeless poetry. 
• The portrayal of xenophobia in modern English language literature. 
• What can we learn from the "Schilder's List" screenplay as we discuss the subject of genocide? 
• Are there racial elements in "Othello" or Shakespeare's creation is beyond the subject?
• Kate Chopin's perception of inequality in "Desiree's Baby".

Racism in Science Essay Ideas 

Racism is often studied by scientists because it's not only a cultural point or a social agenda that is driven by personal inferiority and similar factors of mental distortion. Since we can talk about police violence and social campaigns, it is also possible to discuss things through different disciplines. Think over these racism thesis statement ideas by taking a scientific approach and getting a common idea explained:

• Can physical trauma become a cause for a different perception of race? 
• Do we inherit racial intolerance from our family members and friends? 
• Can a white person assimilate and become a part of the primarily Black community? 
• The people behind the concept of Apartheid: analysis of the critical factors. 
• Can one prove the fact of the physical damage of the racial injustice that lasted through the years? 
• The bond between mental diseases and the slavery heritage among the Black people. 
• Should people carry the blame for the years of social injustice? 
• How can we explain the metaphysics of race? 
• What do the different religions tell us about race and the best ways to deal with it? 
• Ethnic prejudices based on age, gender, and social status vs general racism.

Cinema and Race Topics to Write About 

As a rule, the movies are also a great source for writing an essay on racial issues. Remember to provide the basic information about the movie or include examples with the quotations to help your readers understand all the major points that you make. Here are some ideas that are worth your attention:

• The negative aspect of the portrayal of racial issues by Hollywood.  
• Should the disturbing facts and the graphic violence be included in the movies about slavery? 
• Analysis of the "Green Mile" movie and the perception of equality in our society.  
• The role of music and culture in the "Django Unchained" movie. 
• The "Ghosts of Mississippi" and the social aspect of the American South compared to how we perceive it today. 
• What can we learn from the "Malcolm X" movie created by Spike Lee? 
• "I am Not Your Negro" movie and the role of education through the movies. 
• "And the Children Shall Lead" the movie as an example that we are not born racist. 
• Do we really have the "Black Hollywood" concept in reality? 
• Do the movies about racial issues only cause even more racial prejudice?

Race and Ethnic Relations 

Another challenging problem is the internal racism and race and ethnicity essay topics that we can observe not only in the United States but all over the world as well. For example, the Black people in the United States and the representatives of the rap music culture will divide themselves between the East Coast and the West Coast where far more than cultural differences exist. The same can be encountered in Afghanistan or in Belgium. Here are some essay topics on race and ethnicity idea samples to consider:

• The racial or the ethnic conflict? What can we learn from Afghan society? 
• Religious beliefs divide us based on ethnicity . 
• What are the major differences between ethnic and racial conflicts? 
• Why we are able to identify the European Black person and the Black coming from the United States? 
• Racism and ethnicity's role in sports. 
• How can an ethnic conflict be resolved with the help of anti-racial methods? 
• The medical aspect of being an Asian in the United States. 
• The challenges of learning as an African American person during the 1950s. 
• The role of the African American people in the Vietnam war and their perception by the locals. 
• Ethnicity's role in South Africa as the concept of Apartheid has been formed.

Biology and Racial Issues 

If you are majoring in Biology or would like to research this side of the general issue of race, it is essential to think about how we can fight racism in practice by turning to healthcare or the concepts that are historical in their nature. Although we cannot explain slavery per se other than by turning to economics and the rule of power that has no justification, biologists believe that racial challenges can be approached by their core beliefs as well.

• Can we create an isolated non-racist society in 2022? 
• If we assume that a social group has never heard of racism, can it occur? 
• The physical versus cultural differences in the racial inequality cases? 
• The biological peculiarities of the different races? 
• Do we carry the cultural heritage of our race? 
• Interracial marriage through the lens of Biology. 
• The origins of the racial concept and its evolution. 
• The core ways how slavery has changed the African-American population. 
• The linguistic peculiarities of the Latin people. 
• The resistance of the different races towards vaccination.

Modern Racism Topics to Consider 

In case you would like to deal with a modern subject that deals with racism, you can go beyond the famous Black Lives Matter movement by focusing on the cases of racism in sports or talking about the peacemakers or the famous celebrities who have made a solid difference in the elimination of racism.

• The Global Citizen campaign is a way to eliminate racial differences. 
• The heritage of Aretha Franklin and her take on the racial challenges. 
• The role of the Black Stars in modern society: the pros and cons. 
• Martin Luther King Day in the modern schools. 
• How can Instagram help to eliminate racism? 
• The personality of Michelle Obama as a fighter for peace. 
• Is a society without racism a utopian idea? 
• How can comic books help youngsters understand equality? 
• The controversy in the death of George Floyd. 
• How can we break down the stereotypes about Mexicans in the United States?

Racial Discrimination Essay Ideas 

If your essay should focus on racial discrimination, you should think about the environment and the type of prejudice that you are facing. For example, it can be in school or at the workplace, at the hospital, or in a movie that you have attended. Here are some discrimination topics research paper ideas that will help you to get started:

• How can a schoolchild report the case of racism while being a minor?  
• The discrimination against women's rights during the 1960s. 
• The employment problem and the chances of the Latin, Asian, and African American applicants. 
• Do colleges implement a certain selection process against different races? 
• How can discrimination be eliminated via education? 
• African-American challenges in sports. 
• The perception of discrimination, based on racial principles and the laws in the United States. 
• How can one report racial comments on social media? 
• Is there discrimination against white people in our society? 
• Covid-19 and racial discrimination: the lessons we have learned.

Find Even More Essay Topics On Racism by Visiting Our Site 

If you are unsure about what to write about, you can always find an essay on racism by visiting our website. Offering over 150 topic ideas, you can always get in touch with our experts and find another one!

5 Tips to Make Your Essay Perfect

• Start your essay on racial issues by narrowing things down after you choose the general topic. 
• Get your facts straight by checking the dates, the names, opinions from both sides of an issue, etc. 
• Provide examples if you are talking about the general aspects of racism. 
• Do not use profanity and show due respect even if you are talking about shocking things. The same relates to race and ethnic relations essay topics that are based on religious conflicts. Stay respectful! 
• Provide references and citations to avoid plagiarism and to keep your ideas supported by at least one piece of evidence.

Recommendations to Help You Get Inspired

Speaking of recommended books and articles to help you start with this subject, you should check " The Ideology of Racism: Misusing Science to Justify Racial Discrimination " by William H. Tucker who is a professor of social sciences at Rutgers University. Once you read this great article, think about the poetry by Maya Angelou as one of the best examples to see the practical side of things.

The other recommendations worth checking include:

- How to be Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi . - White Fragility by Robin Diangelo . - So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo .

The Final Word 

We sincerely believe that our article has helped you to choose the perfect essay subject to stir your writing skills. If you are still feeling stuck and need additional help, our team of writers can assist you in the creation of any essay based on what you would like to explore. You can get in touch with our skilled experts anytime by contacting our essay service for any race and ethnicity topics. Always confidential and plagiarism-free, we can assist you and help you get over the stress!

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An Anti-Racist Reading List: Five Essential Titles for Designers

How can design contribute to the fight against racism? As a place to start, the African American Design Nexus —an initiative developed by the Frances Loeb Library in collaboration with the GSD African American Student Union —has curated five essential titles for anti-racism reading.

The recommendations come from a list of over 45 books on race and design crowdsourced from the GSD community in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first Black History Month celebrations. The open-access bibliography is designed to “showcase and initiate conversation about the work of Black designers throughout the world and to critically re-examine the legacy of racial discourses in modern and contemporary design thinking and practice.” It is a living document fueled by submissions from the GSD community. Learn how to submit a book or other printed media .

For more recommended reading, visit A Call To Explore: Design, Race, and the Built Environment book suggestions from the GSD community.

The fire next time, by james baldwin.

“At once a powerful evocation of James Baldwin’s early life in Harlem and a disturbing examination of the consequences of racial injustice, the book is an intensely personal and provocative document. It consists of two ‘letters,’ written on the occasion of the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation, that exhort Americans, both Black and White, to attack the terrible legacy of racism.”

The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How our Government Segregated America

By richard rothstein.

How to Kill a City: Gentrification, Inequality, and the Fight for the Neighborhood

By peter moskowitz.

Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors

By carolyn finney.

“Bridging the fields of environmental history, cultural studies, critical race studies, and geography, Carolyn Finney argues that the legacies of slavery have shaped cultural understandings of the ‘great outdoors.'”

This contribution is part of a list that was compiled in affiliation with Womxn in Design’s WiD Bib: An Annotated Bibliography of Identity Theories for the “Critical Race Theory” section.

Call Number: Frances Loeb Library GEN E185.86 .F525 2014 ISBN: 9781469614489 Publication Date: 2014 Publisher:   The University of North Carolina Press

Killing Rage: Ending Racism

By bell hooks.

• Social Equity

• Racial Justice, Racial Equity, and Anti-Racism Reading List

In This Section

• Complete Collection

In the wake of violence against Black Americans and in a moment of national reckoning in Summer 2020, the HKS Library pulled together a reading list that is inspired and largely informed by Resources and Reading on Racial Justice, Racial Equity, and Anti-Racism published by the Institutional Anti-Racism and Accountability Project (IARA) at the Ash Center and in partnership with the HKS Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging . 

This reading list is a starting place to find resources that speak to racial justice, racial equity, and anti-racism.  If you have suggestions or feedback, please send us an email: [email protected] . Books are linked to e-book versions where available.

In addition to access through Harvard Library, we believe these titles should be a part of other academic and public libraries. If these titles are not a part of your local libraries, most libraries solicit and support community requests. If you have questions about how to request a title for inclusion in your local library collection, please feel free to reach out to our staff ( [email protected] ) and we are happy to provide guidance.

The New Jim Crow

The New Jim Crow  has spawned a whole generation of criminal justice reform activists and organizations motivated by  Michelle Alexander’ s unforgettable argument that “we have not ended racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it.” As the  Birmingham News  proclaimed, it is “undoubtedly the most important book published in this century about the U.S.”

Citation:  Alexander, Michelle.  The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness . New York: The New Press, 2020.

• Read e-book @ Harvard Library
• View @ Publisher Site

One Person, No Vote

Carol Anderson follows the astonishing story of government-dictated racial discrimination unfolding before our very eyes as more and more states adopt voter suppression laws. In gripping, enlightening detail she explains how voter suppression works, from photo ID requirements to gerrymandering to poll closures. And with vivid characters, she explores the resistance: the organizing, activism, and court battles to restore the basic right to vote to all Americans.

Citation:  Anderson, Carol.  One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression Is Destroying Our Democracy . New York: Bloomsbury, 2018.

Carefully linking historical flashpoints when social progress for African Americans was countered by deliberate and cleverly crafted opposition, Carol Anderson pulls back the veil that has long covered actions made in the name of protecting democracy, fiscal responsibility, or protection against fraud, rendering visible the long lineage of white rage.

Citation:  Anderson, Carol.  White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide . New York: Bloomsbury, 2016.

The Fire Next Time

At once a powerful evocation of James Baldwin ’s early life in Harlem and a disturbing examination of the consequences of racial injustice, the book is an intensely personal and provocative document. It consists of two “letters,” written on the occasion of the centennial of the Emancipation Proclamation, that exhort Americans, both Black and white, to attack the terrible legacy of racism.

Citation:  Baldwin, James.  The Fire Next Time . New York: Vintage, 1992.

• Read e-book @ Harvard Library

White Fragility

Referring to the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, white fragility is characterized by emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and by behaviors including argumentation and silence. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium and prevent any meaningful cross-racial dialogue. In this in-depth exploration,  Robin DiAngelo  examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively.

Citation:  DiAngelo, Robin.  White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism . Boston: Beacon Press, 2018.

Never Caught

A startling and eye-opening look into America’s First Family, Erica Armstrong Dunbar tells the powerful narrative of Ona Judge, George and Martha Washington’s runaway slave who risked it all to escape the nation’s capital and reach freedom.

Citation:  Dunbar, Erica Armstrong.  Never Caught: The Washington's Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge . 37Ink; Atria Books: New York, 2017.

• View @ Author Site

How to Be Less Stupid About Race

Crystal Fleming  provides your essential guide to breaking through the half-truths and ridiculous misconceptions that have thoroughly corrupted the way race is represented in the classroom, pop culture, media, and politics.

Citation:  Fleming, Crystal.  How to Be Less Stupid About Race: On Racism, White Supremacy, and the Racial Divide . New York: Penguin Random House, 2019.

The Broken Heart of America

From Lewis and Clark’s 1804 expedition to the 2014 uprising in Ferguson, American history has been made in St. Louis. And as Walter Johnson shows in this searing book, the city exemplifies how imperialism, racism, and capitalism have persistently entwined to corrupt the nation’s past.

Citation:  Johnson, Walter.  The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States.  New York: Basic Books, 2020.

How to Be an Antiracist

Ibram X. Kendi 's concept of antiracism reenergizes and reshapes the conversation about racial justice in America - but even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other. Instead of working with the policies and system we have in place, Kendi asks us to think about what an antiracist society might look like, and how we can play an active role in building it. 

Citation:  Kendi, Ibram X.  How to Be an Antiracist . New York: One World, 2019.

Kiese Laymon writes eloquently and honestly about growing up a hard-headed Black son to a complicated and brilliant Black mother in Jackson, Mississippi. By attempting to name secrets and lies he and his mother spent a lifetime avoiding, he asks us to confront the terrifying possibility that few in this nation actually know how to responsibly love, and even fewer want to live under the weight of actually becoming free.

Citation:  Laymon, Kiese.  Heavy: An American Memoir . New York: Scribner, 2018.

The Condemnation of Blackness

The idea of Black criminality was crucial to the making of modern urban America, as were African Americans’ own ideas about race and crime. Chronicling the emergence of deeply embedded notions of Black people as a dangerous race of criminals by explicit contrast to working-class whites and European immigrants,  Khalil Gibran Muhammad  - HKS Professor of History, Race, and Public Policy - reveals the influence such ideas have had on urban development and social policies.

Citation:  Muhammad, Khalil Gibran.  The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime, and the Making of Modern Urban America . Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2010.

The Color of Law

In this groundbreaking history of the modern American metropolis, Richard Rothstein , a leading authority on housing policy, explodes the myth that America’s cities came to be racially divided through  de facto  segregation—that is, through individual prejudices, income differences, or the actions of private institutions like banks and real estate agencies. Rather,  The Color of Law  incontrovertibly makes clear that it was  de jure  segregation—the laws and policy decisions passed by local, state, and federal governments—that actually promoted the discriminatory patterns that continue to this day.

Citation:  Rothstein, Richard.  The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America . New York; London: Liveright Publishing Corporation, 2017.

• View @ Harvard Library

Courageous Conversations About Race

Glenn Singleton  explains the need for candid, courageous conversations about race so that educators may understand why student disengagement and achievement inequality persists and learn how they can develop a curriculum that promotes true educational equity and excellence.

Citation:  Singleton, Glenn.  Courageous Conversations about Race: A Field Guide for Achieving Equity in Schools . Los Angeles: Corwin, 2015.

This book is  Bryan Stevenson 's (MPP/JD 1985 LLD 2015) unforgettable account of an idealistic, gifted young lawyer’s coming of age, a moving window into the lives of those he has defended, and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice. Stevenson was honored by HKS in 2018 with the 2018 Alumni Public Service Award .

Citation:  Stevenson, Bryan.  Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption.  New York: Spiegel & Grau, 2015.

• View young adult adaptation @ Publisher Site

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?

Walk into any racially mixed high school and you will see Black, white, and Latino youth clustered in their own groups. Is this self-segregation a problem to address or a coping strategy?  Beverly Daniel Tatum , a renowned authority on the psychology of racism, argues that straight talk about our racial identities is essential if we are serious about enabling communication across racial and ethnic divides.

Citation:  Tatum, Beverly Daniel.  Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations about Race . New York: Basic Books, 2003.

From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation

In this stirring and insightful analysis, activist and scholar  Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor  surveys the historical and contemporary ravages of racism and persistence of structural inequality such as mass incarceration and Black unemployment. In this context, she argues that this new struggle against police violence holds the potential to reignite a broader push for Black liberation.

Citation:  Taylor, Keeanga-Yamahtta.  From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation . Chicago: Haymarket Books, 2016.

• R ead e-book @ Harvard Library

Race Matters

Race Matters  contains Cornel West ’s most powerful essays on the issues relevant to black Americans today: despair, black conservatism, black-Jewish relations, myths about black sexuality, the crisis in leadership in the black community, and the legacy of Malcolm X. And the insights that he brings to these complicated problems remain fresh, exciting, creative, and compassionate.

Citation:  West, Cornel.  Race Matters . Boston: Beacon Press, 1993.

As we go about our daily lives, caste is the wordless usher in a darkened theater, flashlight cast down in the aisles, guiding us to our assigned seats for a performance. The hierarchy of caste is not about feelings or morality. It is about power--which groups have it and which do not. In this book, Isabel Wilkerson gives us a portrait of an unseen phenomenon in America as she explores, through an immersive, deeply researched narrative and stories about real people, how America today and throughout its history has been shaped by a hidden caste system, a rigid hierarchy of human rankings.

Citation: Wilkerson, Isabel. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents . New York: Random House, 2020.

Charleston Syllabus

In the aftermath of the Charleston massacre, Professors  Chad Williams ,  Kidada E. Williams , and  Keisha N. Blain  sought a way to put the murder-and the subsequent debates in the media-in the context of America's tumultuous history of race relations and racial violence on a global scale. They created the  Charleston Syllabus  on June 19, starting it as a hashtag on Twitter linking to scholarly works on the myriad of issues related to the murder.

Citation:  Williams, Chad, Kidada E. Williams, and Keisha N. Blain. (Eds.)  Charleston Syllabus: Readings on Race, Racism, and Racial Violence . Athens: The University of Georgia Press, 2016.

Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence

If you believe that talking about race is impolite, or that "colorblindness" is the preferred approach, you must read this book.  Derald Wing Sue  debunks the most pervasive myths using evidence, easy-to-understand examples, and practical tools.

Citation:  Wing Sue, Derald.  Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence: Understanding and Facilitating Difficult Dialogues on Race . Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2015.

The Sum of Us

The Sum of Us is a brilliant analysis of how we arrived here: divided and self-destructing, materially rich but spiritually starved and vastly unequal. Heather McGhee marshals economic and sociological research to tell an irrefutable story of racism's costs, but at the heart of the book are the humble stories of people yearning to be part of a better America, including white supremacy's collateral victims: white people themselves. With startling empathy, this heartfelt message from a Black woman to a multiracial America leaves us with a new vision for a future in which we finally realize that life can be more than a zero-sum game.

Citation: McGhee, Heather. The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together . New York: One World, 2021.

• Hannah-Jones, Nikole. (2019). The 1619 Project .  The New York Times Magazine .
• Coates, Ta-Nehisi. (2014). The Case for Reparations .  The Atlantic .
• DiAngelo, Robin. (2017). Why It’s So Hard to Talk to White People About Racism .  Huffington Post .
• McIntosh, Peggy. (1989). White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack . Peace and Freedom .
• Serwer, Adam. (2020). The Coronavirus Was an Emergency Until Trump Found Out Who Was Dying .  The Atlantic .
• Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem. (2020). Don’t Understand the Protests? What You're Seeing is People Pushed to the Edge .  Los Angeles Times .
• Hinton, Elizabeth. (2020). The Minneapolis Uprising in Context .  Boston Review .
• Hannah-Jones, Nikole. 1619 .  The New York Times .
• Muhammad, Khalil Gibran and Ben Austen. Some of My Best Friends Are . Pushkin .
• Carroll, Rebecca. Come Through with Rebecca Carroll .  WNYC Studios .
• Biewen, John. Seeing White .  Scene On Radio .
• Raghuveera, Nikhil and Erica Licht. Untying Knots .  SoundCloud .
• Moyo, Thoko. A historic crossroads for systemic racism and policing in America .  PolicyCast . Featuring Khalil Gibran Muhammad and Erica Chenoweth .

Select Community Organizations, provided by the IARA

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Institutional Anti-Racism and Accountability Project

An Ash Center project working at the intersection of community, academia, and policy to address questions of anti-racism policy, practice, and institutional change.

Maya Sen & Matthew Blackwell's "Deep Roots"

In this  Behind the Book  video, professors take an historical look at how the institution of U.S. slavery continues to shape the views of the present.

Fairness & Justice

HKS faculty tackle policy questions from racial equity, to the climate, to education, and beyond.

Justice Matters Podcast

Carr Center director Sushma Raman investigates a wide array of human rights issues at home and abroad.

Anti-Racism Book & Film Club

Harvard Library facilitates community discussions of anti-Black racism through books & film.

Home / Essay Samples / Social Issues / Racism

Racism Essay Examples

The impact of systemic racism: social injustice today.

Racism has been a persistent issue throughout history, deeply rooted in societal structures and institutions. Systemic racism, in particular, refers to the way racism is embedded within these systems, perpetuating inequality and social injustice. This essay aims to shed light on the impact of systemic...

White Privilege: a Historical and Contemporary Analysis

White privilege is a concept that has gained significant attention in recent years as societies grapple with issues of systemic racism and inequality. This essay delves into the multifaceted nature of white privilege, tracing its historical roots and examining its persistence in contemporary society. It...

Martin Luther King Jr.: a Legacy of Civil Rights and Social Justice

Martin Luther King Jr. is an iconic figure in American history, celebrated for his tireless efforts in advancing civil rights and social justice. His life and work continue to inspire and resonate with people around the world. This essay delves into the remarkable journey of...

If I Won a Million Dollars: Dreams and Impact

Winning a million dollars is a dream that many harbor—a sudden windfall that can transform lives. But what would you do if you won a million dollars? This essay explores the myriad possibilities of what I would do if I were fortunate enough to win...

Combating Racism in American Schools

Racism in American schools remains a deeply rooted problem that continues to hinder the progress towards equality and inclusivity. It is crucial to address this issue head-on, as it affects the well-being and academic success of students of color. This essay presents an argumentative analysis...

Ending Racism in Schools: a Path to Equality and Inclusivity

Racism in schools remains a significant issue that hinders the pursuit of equality and inclusivity in education. It is essential to recognize that every student deserves a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination. This essay aims to present an argumentative analysis of effective...

Black History Month: Legacy and Inspiring Change

Black History Month is an annual observance that celebrates the achievements and contributions of African Americans to American history and culture. It is observed in the United States and Canada during the month of February. The origins of Black History Month can be traced back...

American History Criminalization: Racism and Mass Incarceration

This American history research paper reveals such pungent topics for college students as racism and mass incarceration. In America, the land of the free, more people are behind bars than there are living in the city of Philadelphia and Dallas combined. Our criminal justice system...

Falling America: Analysis of "Where Do We Go from Here?"

In 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. published a book titled "Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?" In this book, he discussed the challenges facing America at that time, including racism, poverty, and economic inequality. He also offered a vision for how America...

Absence and Violation of Human Rights: Cultural Discrimination

Cultural discrimination refers to the unjust or unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on their cultural background. Cultural discrimination take forms which analysed in the essay. Such forms include stereotyping, prejudice, and exclusion, and can have significant negative effects on individuals and society as...

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• Black Lives Matter
• Martin Luther King
• White Privilege
• Letter From Birmingham Jail
• I Have a Dream
• Rwandan Genocide
• Racial Segregation
• Emmett Till
• Ku Klux Klan
• Rodney King
• Islamophobia
• Political Blackness
• Segregation
• Social Isolation
• Racial Discrimination
• Racism In Schools
• Social Movements
• Human Rights
• Overpopulation
• Women's Rights

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