Racial harassment is discrimination based on race, color, or ethnicity, carried out through physical conduct or verbal/written statements. It is prohibited in many countries, with victims having to prove they were intimidated or subjected to a hostile environment. Complaints are often based on hate speech or verbal harassment, and penalties can include fines and imprisonment. Discrimination based on characteristics associated with a particular race, such as hair or facial features, can also be considered racial harassment.
Racial harassment is discrimination against an individual based on that person’s race, color, or ethnicity. The harassment is carried out with physical conduct or with verbal or written statements. It is prohibited in many countries where citizens can file complaints with a government agency or bring civil suits, and some racial harassment laws are part of the penal code, making the offense a felony. A victim of harassment often has to prove that she was intimidated, offended, or subjected to a hostile environment. Many claims are made by individuals in education and work, and preventing racial harassment is often a statutory obligation on institutions and employers.
Many racial harassment complaints are based on hate speech or verbal harassment. Individuals accused of this type of harassment are often cited for uttering racial slurs, engaging in racial bullying, or using offensive language that can objectively be interpreted as racism. For example, in a racial harassment case that was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the United States, black employees complained that their employer often referred to them as boys. The commission found that this reference was a racial slur, and the fact that it occurred over a period of time led to a hostile work environment. Reporting harassment to government agencies such as the EEOC is one option for resolving these issues, but individuals can also file discrimination lawsuits in the appropriate courts.
Some acts may also be considered racial harassment under discrimination laws. For example, hanging a noose from a schoolyard tree was found by a court to be a form of harassment, and the defendants were charged with a felony. Common penalties for crimes involving racial harassment include fines and imprisonment. In civil cases, plaintiffs can often sue for pecuniary damages or equitable relief. For example, an actor may get a job if a court finds that a promotion was not extended due to retaliation against the actor for filing a racial harassment complaint. Consideration of race in hiring decisions is another example of harassment that underlies many complaints filed with government agencies that oversee such complaints.
Individuals may violate racial harassment laws if they discriminate based on characteristics associated with a particular race. Some features include hair, weight, or facial features. For example, references to how short a worker with Asian ancestry is may be considered a racial slur.
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