Difference Between Xenophobia and Racism

Xenophobia vs Racism

Most people think that xenophobia and racism are almost similar. They think that they can be interchanged, but it is not so and the two terms are different.

Xenophobia is defined as ‘an aversion towards something that is different from you.’ It can also be said to be ‘a fear towards something that is not part of you.’ On the other hand, racism can be defined as ‘the superior thought of a race.’

Xenophobia can also be defined as ‘an aversion of other cultures.’ It is also defined as ‘a contempt or fear of strangers or foreigners.’ The fear or dislike towards immigrants is widely known as xenophobia, and they are most of the time the target group. This condition is very dangerous as it could lead to hostility and violence like a mass eviction of immigrants. Xenophobia is not racially based as members of the same race could have fear or aversion to the members of their own race.

In racism, the skin colour is an important factor. Racists treat persons of other races with hatred and disrespect. One great example of racism is seen in the German dictator Adolph Hitler, who went for a mass killing of the Jews in large numbers.

Xenophobia is a fear of the strangers or the unknown and, as such, it is a broader term than racism. Racism is just concerned with skin colour and nothing else. So Xenophobia encompasses multiple aspects whereas racism comprises just one aspect.

Summary:

1. Xenophobia is defined as ‘an aversion towards something that is different from you.’ It can also be said to be ‘a fear towards something that is not part of you.’
2. Racism can be defined as ‘the superior thought of a race.’
3. Xenophobia can also be defined as an aversion of other cultures. It is also defined as a contempt or fear of strangers or foreigners.
4. In racism, the skin colour is an important factor. Racists treat persons of other races with hatred and disrespect.
5. The fear or dislike towards immigrants is widely known as xenophobia, and this is a very dangerous and serious condition as it could lead to hostility and violence like a mass eviction of immigrants.
6. Xenophobia encompasses multiple aspects whereas racism comprises just one aspect.
7. Xenophobia is not racially based as members of the same race could have fear or aversion to the members of their own race.

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