Race Relations

The many ways in which people of different races perceive and behave toward one another are called race relations. In the United States, race relations are often tinged with friction between racial and ethnic groups. Sociologists examining race relations take into consideration the power dynamics, inequalities, and levels of violence between racial groups, including racism. Racism is discrimination and antipathy against members of a race, ethnic, or other marginalized group within social systems that favor one racial or ethnic group over others and reinforce its political and economic power. Intersectionality is an academic theory that describes how characteristics of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and economic class create and influence hierarchical social systems. Sociologists assert that understanding intersectionality can help...