What is the difference between Discrimination and Racism?

Discrimination and Racism are two words that we can simply say have almost the same meaning, but when you truly study the two words, you will definitely see some little differences. Discrimination simply means the act of discerning, distinguishing between things. Discrimination means you are giving a particular set of people a preferential treatment, while you are giving another set of people a distinct treatment to their disadvantage.

Discrimination is a broad term which can be applied to so many areas of life. Discrimination usually comes with the notion that you are partial in your dealing with two parties; that is, you like a party and dislike the other. Racism, on the other hand, is a form of discrimination. At times it is called racial discrimination. Racism simply means the belief that one race is superior to another race. This is common in our environment today in which you see people of a particular race entirely being maltreated majorly because we consider being inferior to us. A perfect example of Racism can be seen between Black and white people.

The treatment of people is based upon gender, race, community, class, the color of skin, weight, or sexual preferences is called discrimination. The belief that one's own culture and the race is far superior to others and treating members of other races as inferior is a term coined racism. Racism is a deep-seated belief that the abilities and characteristics of different races are inferior to one's own.

This belief is the gateway to unfavorable changes in behavior and attitude towards members of other groups and minorities. Discrimination is the practice of preferential or prejudicial treatment of people based upon differences between people. Racism is a subcategory of discrimination.