Modern prejudice surfaces only when people can act without appearing discriminatory

Evidence

Aversive racism theory stems from the idea that as concerns about being egalitarian have increased, people are far less likely to endorse explicit expressions of bias and prejudice (Dovidio, 2001). Over time prejudice and discrimination have become subtler and sometimes occur outside of conscious awareness (e.g., Dovidio & Gaertner, 1998; Gaertner & Dovidio, 1986). Aversive racism theory also maintains that despite striving for egalitarian principles, many people still harbor negative feelings toward and thoughts about minority groups (Gaertner & Dovidio, 1986). Specifically, the theory posits that people will not express prejudice if they are aware of the potential for their actions to be perceived as discriminatory, but when they are unaware of the potential to express bias they often will act in discriminatory ways (Gaertner & Dovidio, 1986; Pearson, Dovidio, & Gaertner, 2009; Saucier, Miller, & Doucet, 2005). — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 862 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Anti-Semites merely voice a society whose official norms legitimize prejudice — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 1791; Segregation can perpetuate itself silently with no active racist actor — Luke W. Cole and Sheila R. Foster, From the Ground Up: Environmental…, 343; Aversive racists discriminate mainly when norms make prejudice easy to rationalize. (+7 more)

Broader Connections

• People suppress prejudice only when aware their actions may look discriminatory #corroborates (0.95) — Joseph Avery, Jim Sidanius, Joel Cooper, Gregory Davis, Amanda N., Bias in the Law, 862