Symbolic racism is moralized resistance to racial change, not open hostility

Evidence

Racial reaction, then, could not be accomplished simply by repression of its radical elements, because the incorporated components, the “entrists” who had now gained some measure of power, were not thereby rendered ineffective, even if they had been absorbed into the state. In fact, radicals were not neutralized by repression either; though they suffered and were subjected to brutal and illegal state practices, they were not destroyed. Reaction had to find other means to cope with the movement’s successes: There had to be mobilization against the black movement’s accomplishments. “Code words” did some of the early work of reactionary mobilization. — Michael Omi, Howard Winant, Racial Formation in the United States, 196 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Most whites endorse new symbolic racism beliefs while rejecting old-fashioned racism — Christopher Tarman and David O. Sears, The Conceptualization and Measurement…, 41; Symbolic racism combines antiblack affect with conservative nonracial values — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3752; Symbolic racism may produce little moral uneasiness for those who hold it — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 2186 (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Racial reaction mobilized via code words instead of repression alone #complicates (0.75) — Michael Omi, Howard Winant, Racial Formation in the United States, 196