Rasåtskillnad

Rasåtskillnad, a Swedish term, translates to racial segregation or racial discrimination. It refers to the systemic and individual practices that create and maintain divisions between people based on their perceived race or ethnicity. This can manifest in various forms, including social, economic, and political exclusion.

Historically, Sweden has often been perceived as a racially egalitarian society. However, like many nations, it has experienced periods and instances of discrimination. While not codified in the same way as historical apartheid in South Africa or Jim Crow laws in the United States, the concept of rasåtskillnad acknowledges that discriminatory attitudes and actions can exist and have consequences.

Contemporary discussions around rasåtskillnad in Sweden often focus on issues related to immigration and the integration of minority groups. This can include disparities in housing, employment, and treatment by authorities, often linked to ethnic background rather than legal racial classifications, as Sweden does not officially collect data based on race. The term highlights how societal structures and individual biases can lead to unequal opportunities and experiences for certain groups within the population.