Race is a social construct, this means it was created by people, not by science or nature. But it’s important to know why it was created. Race was not just made to describe people. It was created with racist intentions, to divide, control, and justify the mistreatment of Black, Indigenous, and other non-white people.
White European scientists, governments, and leaders invented racial categories during colonisation and slavery. They claimed that white people were smarter, more civilised, and more human than others. These false ideas helped white people take land, enslave people, and build wealth and power. In places like North America, racism became part of every system, education, healthcare, government, and more. Many white people in the USA are descendants of Europeans and continued using these ideas.
Even though race is not a fact of biology, it is very real in society. It affects how people are seen, treated, and included. It shapes who gets access to good education, jobs, housing, safety, and healthcare and who is left out.
It’s also important to understand that saying race is a social construct does not mean all people are physically the same. Our bodies are different, shaped by ancestry, history, and environment. People from different communities may have different health needs, or respond differently to food, climate, and medicine. These differences matter, and they must be respected, not erased.
Racism is a system that gives more power, safety, and opportunities to white people — and takes these things away from Black, Indigenous, and other People of Colour. Racism is not just about hate or rude behaviour. It is built into the rules, institutions, and everyday life of society.
Racism began during colonisation, when white European countries took control of land, resources, and people. These systems still affect how things work today, even in countries that say “everyone is equal.”
Types of racism
1. Institutional racism – in schools, jobs, and services
- Deaf educational institutions often only have white educators.
- Most sign language interpreters are white, which can lead to biased access.
- White Deaf people are more likely to be chosen as leaders in Deaf organisations, even in diverse communities.
2. Structural racism – passed down over time
- Many BIPOC Deaf people have unequitable access to jobs, money, education, or safe housing.
- These are not personal problems, they are the result of long-term exclusion and unequal systems.
3. Interpersonal racism – between people
- A BIPOC Deaf person might be talked over in meetings or seen as “less capable.”
- Microaggressions, like “You sign well for someone like you” or “You don’t look Deaf,” show everyday bias.
4. Internalised racism – when people believe negative things about their own group
- A Deaf child of colour might feel ashamed of their skin or culture.
- They may try to copy white norms in order to be accepted in Deaf spaces.
Important words to know
- White supremacy: A system that puts white people at the top and treats their lives, views, and voices as more important than others.
- Colonisation: When a powerful country takes land and control from Indigenous peoples, often by force.
- Eurocentric: A way of thinking that sees white European culture as “normal” or “better,” while ignoring other cultures.
Conclusion
Race is not based in science, but it was created for power. Racism continues to shape our world today. In schools, workplaces, hospitals, and even Deaf spaces, BIPOC people still face exclusion, inequality, and harm.
To create a fairer society, we must first understand where racism comes from, how it works, and why it must be challenged, together.
Saved By The Sign (SBTS) is an Irish based intercultural consultancy and social enterprise committed to fostering social inclusion and racial equity within the global Deaf community. Through media, advocacy, and education, SBTS actively builds bridges across cultural divides, empowering Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) Deaf communities and promoting Deaf awareness and cultural understanding. SBTS engages with both Deaf and hearing BIPOC communities, enhancing accessibility and inclusive practices to ensure supportive environments for Deaf people within their cultural contexts. This work is deeply rooted in addressing social exclusion experienced by BIPOC Deaf individuals navigating predominantly white Deaf spaces and their own cultural communities, thereby bridging critical gaps for a more inclusive future.
