From subtle discrimination in everyday life, to horrors like lynching in the Old South, cultural imperialism, and "ethnic cleansing", racism exists in many different forms, in almost every facet of society. Despite civil rights movements and other attempts at progress, racial prejudices and stereotypes remain deeply embedded in Western culture. This book takes a frank and objective look at why these notions exist. It explores how racism has come to be so firmly established, and looks at how race, ethnicity, and xenophobia are related. This book incorporates the latest research to demystify the subject of racism and explore its history, science, and culture. It sheds light not only on how racism has evolved since its earliest beginnings, but also explores the numerous embodiments of racism, highlighting the paradox of its survival, despite the scientific discrediting of the notion of 'race' with the latest advances in genetics.

Racism and racists: some conundrums --Fear of the dark? : blacks, Jews and barbarians -- Beyond the pale: scientific racism, the nation, and the politics of colour -- Imperialism, eugenics, and the Holocaust -- The case against scientific racism -- New racisms? -- Racist identities: ambivalence, contradiction, and commitment -- Beyond institutional racism: 'race', class, and gender in the USA and Britain.