Old-fashioned racism gave way to subtler forms that still shape political outcomes

Evidence

Although the evidence of the gradual disappearance of old-fashioned racism is rarely disputed, a debate ensued about whether or not racial prejudice was disappearing with it. Many social psychologists concluded that it had not disappeared but had changed its form. Various new forms were proposed, having much in common although variously labeled as “symbolic racism,” “racial resentment,” “modern racism,” “laissez-faire racism,” or “subtle prejudice.” Their conceptualizations shared three common elements: (a) general replacement of old-fashioned racism with acceptance of formal racial equality, and (b) continuing negative affect toward Blacks (whether animosity, uneasiness, or distancing), mixed in some way with (c) nonracial values, such as traditional morality, individualism, and the Protestant Ethic. … Considerable research showed these “new racisms” predicted opposition to racial policies and to Black political candidates. As a result, they were interpreted as having taken over the political role once played by old-fashioned racism (for reviews, see Hutchings & Valentino, 2004; Krysan, 2000; Sears & Henry, in press). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2167

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the vault’s prejudice-psychology thread and Allport’s distinction between outlawed old-fashioned racism and newer disguised forms. — connects to: Eurocentric racism often hides within democratic rhetoric and abstract claims rather than open bigotry; White politicians shifted from racial slurs to coded language after civil rights — Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry, The Flag and the Cross: White Christian…, 89
• DEFINE: Distinguishes symbolic/modern/laissez-faire racism as one family sharing formal equality acceptance plus negative affect plus nonracial values.