Sociology Goldclass: 'British Values' and Racism in the 21st Century

During the latter half of the 20th century many sociologists have argued that racism has assumed more subtle forms. These newer expressions of racism are said to be less predicated on biological notions of 'superior' and 'inferior' races and increasingly reliant on replacement terms such as 'culture' and 'difference'. Within British governmental discourse, for example, a values deficit is identified as emerging from 'cultural diversity' and 'faith communities', evidenced in general terms by 'the failure of multiculturalism'.

This lecture will ask whether we are now witnessing both a 'softening' and 'hardening' of racist discourse during the early 21st century and discuss the sociological implications for understanding racism within contemporary multicultural Britain.

This session will run from 10:30am - 12:30pm.