What is everyday racism and what can you do about it?

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A disparaging look at the office, the question about your “real origin,” the supposed compliment for your perfect German: racism has many faces. It can manifest itself in any situation in our everyday lives. What can we all do about it?

Everyday racism and structural racism: what’s the difference?

There is no universal definition of everyday racism. However, it must be distinguished from institutional or structural racism. Structural racism means that people do not have equal access to social goods such as rights or education for racist reasons, as was the case during the period of racial segregation in the southern states of the USA. During this time, for example, African-American children were not allowed to attend “white” schools. However, the boundaries of everyday racism can become blurred. One such case is when, for example, a girl is not recommended for grammar school because she comes from a family of Turkish origin and is, therefore, less likely to be accepted by teachers. Here, too, access to education is denied, not because of official regulations but because people behave in a racist manner.

In addition to problems finding accommodation and jobs or clear racist insults, there are less obvious forms of everyday racism. People tell jokes that they themselves do not perceive as racist or unconsciously express prejudices. Even thoughtless, perhaps well-intentioned statements can make people feel like they don’t belong. People unconsciously derive “belonging” from the characteristics of the majority society.

Racism in today’s society is unfortunately omnipresent

When people do not get an apartment because their skin colour is darker than that of other candidates, or their application is not considered because they have a name that suggests a non-original Austrian origin, these are obvious examples of racism: people are disadvantaged, discriminated against, or excluded because they are considered foreign and not belonging due to their actual (or only perceived) origin, their religion, or their external characteristics.

Unconscious racism in everyday conversations—some examples

The following examples are questions and comments that people with a migration or religious background may perceive as exclusionary without intending to do so.

“But you speak good German!”
“Where are you really from?”
“It’s terrible what happens in your country!”
“That’s how it’s done in Austria.”
“Do you want to return to your home country one day?”

In these examples, little consideration is given to the fact that people who outwardly differ from the appearance of the majority society may have been born in Austria, have an Austrian passport, and have their home here. Instead, the focus is on their outward appearance.

Nevertheless, this does not, of course, mean a ban on speaking out. As in the examples above, many people express themselves without malicious ulterior motives. Nevertheless, only those affected can judge whether they perceive a statement as exclusionary. It is important to be mindful and respect the other person’s feelings. Throughout a conversation, much of what interests you about the other person often comes up without you having to address it specifically.

What can you do to combat racism?

Suppose you notice everyday racism in comments or jokes made by others. In that case, you can draw the person’s attention to it—by asking how something was meant or by explaining what is being conveyed as a “hidden message” in such statements. Open-minded people will probably be grateful for the hint. Your objections will probably not get through to those who have a deliberately racist attitude and make appropriate comments anyway. Your objection is still valuable, but avoid escalating the situation.