Racial realism

Racial realism is a term used for either of two directly opposed positions, both motivated by the durability and social importance of racial distinctions:

• The view that racial distinctions are socially constructed but enduringly important because dominant social forces continually reinforce them. Law professor Derrick Bell is a characteristic advocate of this view.

• The view that racial distinctions are enduringly important because racial groups differ by nature with regard to important behavioral tendencies such as intelligence and impulsiveness. This view holds that racial distinctions are real and measurable, and claims to emphasize science over idealism. Examples of scientifically demonstrable racial distinctions are said to include different average height, decision and reaction times, IQ tendencies at the population level, and medical characteristics, such as differing tendencies toward diseases such as osteoporosis or sickle cell anemia.

Psychology professor Chris Brand, an advocate of the second view, summarizes his racial realist stance: "from the evidence, I certainly believe that there are important and deep-seated race differences in psychological variables." Nonetheless, proponents of anti-racism often view assertedly scientific descriptions of racial distinctions as scientific racism, rather than normal science.

Compare with

• anti-racism
• anti-racist mathematics

External links:

• Get Real about Race, by Chris Brand.