Aversive Racism

Aversive Racism describes a subtle and often unconscious form of prejudice in which individuals deny explicit racist beliefs but still engage in discriminatory actions. This concept highlights the gap between overt declarations of egalitarian values and implicit negative biases that influence behavior. Aversive racism often manifests in subtle ways, such as avoiding interactions with certain racial groups or making decisions that disproportionately disadvantage them in contexts like hiring, education, or healthcare. Sociologists examine aversive racism to uncover its role in perpetuating systemic inequality and social exclusion. Addressing aversive racism requires fostering self-awareness, promoting bias training, and implementing systemic changes to create equitable environments.