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For some dictionaries, such as the Oxford one, racism requires that prejudice/discrimination based on the belief that a race is superior/inferior.

But I can't find this requirement anywhere for any definitions of similar words in any dictionary. For example, "sexism" simply requires prejudice/discrimination based on sex in the Oxford dictionary.

Is there a reason for this?

pamon
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    IMO, the superior/inferior dynamic is fundamental to both examples mentioned. If it is absent from one it is being ignored. –  May 16 '15 at 07:30
  • It's absent from all of the -isms except racism. Seems odd to me. – pamon May 16 '15 at 07:38
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    I would have to say this is a product of how huge of an issue racism has been throughout history compared to any other -ism. – Adam May 16 '15 at 08:37
  • @Adam I'm not sure I follow. What's the relation between the size of an issue and its definition? – pamon May 16 '15 at 09:08
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    The various ism definitions were "hardened" at different points in history, and hence are apt to be written differently. (And let's not forget who is writing the dictionaries, either. Many men will rationalize sexism on the basis that women are "different" -- not "inferior" -- even though their sexist policies relegate women to inferior roles.) – Hot Licks May 16 '15 at 11:55
  • @Hot Licks Except many racists also use that rationalization. There's a reason why the slogan for American segregation was "Separate but equal", not "Black people are inferior so lets move them to the back of the bus". – pamon May 16 '15 at 15:56
  • @pamon - Like I said, consider who writes the dictionaries. – Hot Licks May 16 '15 at 19:28
  • @HotLicks: I'd think it's more usual for sexist men to not think of themselves as sexist at all, so I disagree with your point regarding "who's writing the dictionaries." I haven't looked it up; is dictionary-writing a primarily male activity? – herisson Aug 30 '15 at 07:49
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    The irony here is that assuming a sexist slant in dictionary definitions of sexist would only result if it was a male dominated activity is itself being sexist. A women may be just as sexist as a man. Both for and against their own gender. Let's judge the passage rather than the people. – candied_orange Aug 30 '15 at 17:42

1 Answers1

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I can't find [the superior/inferior] requirement anywhere for any definitions of similar words in any dictionary. [...] Is there a reason for this?

Yes, that you haven't looked hard enough.

Sexism

  • The belief that one gender is superior to the other, especially that men are superior to women. YD, TFD

  • The belief that one sex (usually the male) is naturally superior to the other and should dominate most important areas of political, economic, and social life. DR

  • Refers to the belief or attitude that one gender or sex is inferior to, less competent, or less valuable than the other. TCDoPCC

Community
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candied_orange
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