Racial Discrimination and the Rights of Minority Cultures

Abstract This chapter examines several ways in which racism is denied and describes the implications. It explores the implications of acknowledging the presence of racism, the dangers of an acceptance of racism, and the usefulness of legal approaches to racial discrimination. It also suggests improvements in the methods used at the international level to combat racial discrimination. The denial of racism is fast becoming the most typical and widespread modern manifestation of racist attitudes, opinions, statements, actions, and policies. To challenge racism, acknowledgement is the first step, followed by a human rights offensive against racial discrimination. Additional strategies to combat racism include ‘special rights’ for individual members of minorities, as well as minority communities, and in some cases, the conceptual framework of group rights.