Racism

Racism refers to the belief that certain groups, based on their race, ethnicity, or color, possess characteristics that are in some way inferior or superior to those of other groups or otherwise entitle them to special burdens or benefits. Racism is closely related to other concepts: bigotry, the hatred or loathing of certain groups on the basis of racism; prejudice or stereotyping, the assignment of qualities to individual members of a group based on racial generalizations; and discrimination, the differing treatment of groups or individuals on the basis of race, ethnicity, or color.

Racism is antithetical to individualism, in which people are judged on the basis of individual attributes without regard to race, ethnicity, or color. The philosopher Ayn Rand states,