(from Critical Race Theory on July 16, 2008)
Idealists: Holds that racism and discrimination are matters of thinking, mental categorization, attitude, and discourse. Race is a social construction, so it can be dismantled through changing scripts, images, words, and attitudes that oppress others.
Realists: Despite attitudes and words (both important), racism is means by which society allocates privilege and status. Racial hierarchies determine who gets tangible benefits. The physical circumstances of minority lives must be changes before racism will lessen