Citation

Hochman A. Ethn. Racial Stud. 2019; 42(8): 1245-1262.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/01419870.2018.1527937

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper defends the concept of racialization against its critics. As the concept has become increasingly popular, questions about its meaning and value have been raised, and a backlash against its use has occurred. I argue that when "racialization" is properly understood, criticisms of the concept are unsuccessful. I defend a definition of racialization and identify its companion concept, "racialized group." Racialization is often used as a synonym for "racial formation." I argue that this is a mistake. Racial formation theory is committed to racial ontology, but racialization is best understood as the process through which racialized - rather than racial - groups are formed. "Racialization" plays a unique role in the conceptual landscape, and it is a key concept for race eliminativists and anti-realists about race.

Language: en

Keywords

race; racial formation; Racialization; racialized group; racism; social constructionism about race