Difference Between Racist and Bigot

Key Difference – Racist vs Bigot
 

Racist and bigot are negative terms that indicate intolerance, prejudice and discrimination. Although these two words can be used interchangeably in some instances, there is a fundamental difference between racist and bigot. A racist is a person who shows prejudice or discrimination to people of other races. A bigot is a person who is irrationally and unfairly intolerant to people who are different. The key difference between racist and bigot is that racists show intolerance towards people of other races whereas bigots show intolerance towards people of other religions, races, ethnicities, political groups, etc.

Who is a Racist?

A racist is a person who shows or feels discrimination or prejudice against people of other races. He or she often believes that a particular race, typically his or her own, is superior to other races. A common example of racism is determining the inferiority or superiority of a race by the colour of the skin. Racist ideas often stem from ignorance, non-familiarity with other races, and the superiority complex about one’s own culture.

Jim Crow laws in the US, which promoted racial segregation in the Southern U.S where African American were segregated in public places is an example of racism.

Who is a Bigot?

A bigot is a person who is unfairly and irrationally intolerant towards those who are different and hold different opinions.  He or she is partial to his or her own race, religion, group or political views, etc. and consider them superior to the others.  Bigots may express hatred, aggression, and sometimes violence towards those who are different. For example, religious extremists, elitists, and racists can be viewed as bigots since they are intolerant towards those who are different from them.

Bigotry is the intolerance towards those who are different. Racism, prejudice against homosexuality, and religious intolerance are good examples of bigotry.

What is the difference between Racist and Bigot?

Meaning:

Racist is a person who shows or feels discrimination or prejudice against people of other races.

Bigot is a person who is unfairly and irrationally intolerant towards those who are different.

Intolerance:

Racists are intolerant towards people of other races and ethnicities.

Bigots are intolerant towards people of other races, religions, ethnicities, political parties, etc.

Relation:

Racists are bigots.

Bigots may not always be racists.

Racist vs Bigot:

Racist is a person who practices racism.

Bigot is a person who practices bigotry.

Image Courtesy:

“Little Rock integration protest” By John T. Bledsoe – Library of Congress, U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph Collection from the United States Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID ppmsca.03090. (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

“Bigotry is Ugly” by Travis Wise (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr