Reverse racism

Reverse racism, sometimes referred to as reverse discrimination,^[1] is the concept that affirmative action and similar color-conscious programs for redressing racial inequality are forms of anti-white racism.^[2] The concept is often associated with conservative social movements,^[2][3] and reflects a belief that social and economic gains by Black people and other people of color cause disadvantages for white people.^[4][5][6]

Belief in reverse racism is widespread in the United States; however, there is little to no empirical evidence that white Americans are disadvantaged as a group.^[7] Racial and ethnic minorities generally lack the ability to damage the interests of whites, who remain the dominant group in the U.S.^[8][9] Claims of reverse racism tend to ignore such disparities in the exercise of power,^[1][10][11] which most sociologists and psychologists include in their definition of racism.^[1][8]

Allegations of reverse racism by opponents of affirmative action began to emerge in the 1970s,^[2][12] and have formed part of a racial backlash against social gains by people of color.^[13] While the U.S. dominates the debate over the issue, the concept of reverse racism has been used internationally to some extent wherever white supremacy has diminished, such as in post-apartheid South Africa.^[4]