Bigot vs. Racist: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A bigot is someone intolerant of others' beliefs or practices, while a racist harbors prejudice or discrimination based on race.
Key Differences
A bigot is defined as a person who is obstinately or unreasonably attached to a belief, opinion, or faction, especially one who is prejudiced against or antagonistic toward a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular group. A racist, in contrast, specifically discriminates against people based on their race, believing some races are superior to others.
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Nov 16, 2023
Bigotry encompasses a wide range of intolerances, including but not limited to racial discrimination. Racism, however, is exclusively focused on race and ethnicity, often manifesting in beliefs, attitudes, and actions that enforce racial hierarchies.
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A bigot may hold prejudices against various groups based on religion, sexuality, nationality, or other factors. Racism, by its very nature, is limited to prejudices and actions based on racial characteristics.
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Nov 16, 2023
Bigotry can manifest in social, political, and personal spheres, often as a refusal to accept different views or lifestyles. Racism typically involves systemic or institutional policies and practices, as well as personal beliefs, that discriminate against certain races.
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The harm caused by bigotry can be wide-ranging, affecting multiple aspects of society and interpersonal relationships. The impact of racism is often deep-rooted, contributing to ongoing social and economic inequalities based on race.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Intolerance towards those who hold different opinions
Prejudice or discrimination based on race
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Scope
Broad, includes various forms of intolerance
Specific to race and ethnicity
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Basis of Prejudice
Beliefs, opinions, lifestyle, or group membership
Race and racial characteristics
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Manifestation
Personal, social, political attitudes, and actions
Systemic, institutional, and personal attitudes, and actions
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Impact
Affects various groups and aspects of society
Contributes to racial inequalities
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Bigot and Racist Definitions
Bigot
Someone who strongly and unfairly dislikes other people, ideas, etc.
She was criticized for being a bigot after making derogatory comments.
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Racist
A person who believes that a particular race is superior to others.
The racist argued that certain races were inherently better.
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Bigot
A person who is intolerant towards those holding different opinions.
His refusal to listen to other viewpoints showed him to be a bigot.
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Racist
Someone who discriminates against people based on their race.
The company was sued for its racist hiring practices.
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Bigot
A person who is obstinately devoted to their own opinions and prejudices.
Despite evidence to the contrary, the bigot clung to his outdated beliefs.
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Racist
One who supports or practices the systemic oppression of a racial group.
The racist laws enforced segregation and inequality.
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Bigot
An individual who regards or treats members of a group with hatred or intolerance.
The bigot refused to associate with people from different cultural backgrounds.
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Racist
A person exhibiting racism in belief or behavior.
The racist policies of the regime were condemned internationally.
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Bigot
One who has an irrational aversion to a particular group, belief, or idea.
His bigoted views against alternative lifestyles were well-known.
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Racist
The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
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Oct 19, 2023
Bigot
One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.
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Oct 19, 2023
Bigot
One who is narrow-mindedly devoted to their own ideas and groups, and intolerant of (people of) differing ideas, races, genders, religions, politics, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Racist
A person who believes in or supports racism; a person who believes that a particular race is superior to others, and who discriminates against other races.
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Bigot
(obsolete) One who is overly pious in matters of religion, often hypocritically or else superstitiously so.
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Bigot
A person who regards his own faith and views in matters of religion as unquestionably right, and any belief or opinion opposed to or differing from them as unreasonable or wicked. In an extended sense, a person who is intolerant of opinions which conflict with his own, as in politics or morals; one obstinately and blindly devoted to his own church, party, belief, or opinion.
To doubt, where bigots had been content to wonder and believe.
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Racist
A person with a prejudiced belief that one race is superior to others
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Bigot
A prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own
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Oct 19, 2023
Racist
An individual who holds prejudices based on racial differences.
His racist jokes were offensive and inappropriate.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is racism a form of bigotry?
Yes, racism is a specific form of bigotry based on race.
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Can a bigot be racist?
Yes, if their intolerance extends specifically to racial matters.
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Are all racists bigots?
In terms of race, yes; but bigotry can include other forms of intolerance as well.
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Can bigotry be unconscious?
Yes, individuals may hold bigoted views without full awareness.
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Are there laws against racism?
Many countries have laws prohibiting racial discrimination.
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What defines a bigot?
A person intolerant of those with different opinions or beliefs.
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Can a bigot change their views?
Yes, through education and exposure to different perspectives.
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What is a racist?
Someone who discriminates based on race, believing in the superiority of one race over others.
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Are children born racist or bigoted?
No, these attitudes are learned through socialization.
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Does racism only affect the oppressed group?
It affects the entire society by perpetuating inequality.
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Can bigotry be found in all cultures?
Yes, it exists in various forms across different societies.
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Is systemic racism a form of bigotry?
Yes, it's a form of bigotry specifically based on race.
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Can someone unintentionally be a bigot?
Yes, due to ingrained beliefs or societal conditioning.
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How can one counter bigotry?
Through education, open dialogue, and challenging prejudiced views.
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How does racism impact society?
It leads to inequalities and divides in society based on race.
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Is racial prejudice always blatant?
No, it can be subtle and institutionalized.
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Can institutions be bigoted or racist?
Yes, through policies and practices that discriminate against certain groups.
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Does bigotry always lead to discrimination?
Not always, but it often manifests as discriminatory behavior.
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What role does education play in combating racism?
It's crucial for raising awareness and promoting tolerance.
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Is combating racism a societal responsibility?
Yes, it requires collective action to create an equitable society.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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