Keon West’s 'The Science of Racism' exposes bias in hiring practices

Social psychologist Keon West examines systemic racism in hiring, education, and policy.

CVs are used by the author to illustrate how hiring practices in white-majority nations demonstrate racism. Illustration by Cecilie Arcurs/Getty Images

By Hayu Andini and Adila Ghina

The Science of Racism: Everything You Need to Know but Probably Don’t―Yet, by Keon West

Buy on Amazon

For over two decades, hiring discrimination has persisted across white-majority nations, with research consistently revealing a troubling bias. Employers, often unknowingly, hire candidates who do not exist—ghost applicants submitted by researchers to test systemic discrimination. These fake applications arrive in pairs, one with a Black-sounding name and the other with a white-sounding name, both identical in qualifications and experience. The results are consistent: white applicants receive more callbacks and job offers than their Black counterparts.

This pattern is central to The Science of Racism, the latest book by social psychologist Keon West. Formerly a professor at the University of London, West delves into these hiring biases, using them as a foundation to illustrate how racism remains deeply embedded in society. Through meticulously designed experiments, he demonstrates that racism is not just an abstract concept but a measurable and quantifiable reality.

The science behind racial bias

West methodically explains the scientific process behind these studies, guiding readers through randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses. His approach seeks to improve scientific literacy, helping the public understand how racism is studied and validated in academia. A key takeaway is that social psychologists must often deceive test subjects because, as West highlights, people are prone to self-deception about their own biases.

"A perpetually vexing aspect of the study of racism," West observes, "is the apparent lack of any actual racists." This paradox underscores how deeply ingrained discrimination can be, often operating unconsciously. Even individuals who consider themselves fair-minded can exhibit racial bias when faced with hiring decisions or policy choices.

West addresses a common counterargument: Can racism be scientifically proven? His answer is a resounding yes. Through a careful accumulation of evidence, he dismantles the myth that racism is merely anecdotal, showing that it is systemic and persistent across various sectors, including employment, education, and law enforcement.

The grim realities of racial discrimination

West does not confine his analysis to the United States, making it clear that racism is not an American problem alone. His research includes case studies from the United Kingdom, demonstrating similar patterns of discrimination in hiring, school discipline, and policing. One chapter starkly outlines racial disparities, from employment rates to police violence.

Reading about systemic racism is never easy, and The Science of Racism does not offer comfort. Instead, it forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths. West systematically dismantles misconceptions, tackling issues such as unconscious bias, so-called "reverse racism," and the myth that being "color-blind" reduces discrimination. In reality, he argues, ignoring race perpetuates inequalities rather than solving them.

West presents compelling studies that debunk these myths, showing that policies designed to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are not just moral imperatives but essential corrective measures. These findings come at a critical moment, as political movements in both the U.S. and the U.K. push back against DEI initiatives, often framing them as unnecessary or even harmful.

The limits of science in changing minds

Despite the book's rigorous scientific foundation, one of its challenges is its insistence that data alone can change minds. West presents racism as an irrefutable scientific fact, yet history shows that deeply ingrained prejudices are not easily overturned by evidence alone. The Enlightenment ideal of universal equality was often contradicted by scientific racism, which justified colonialism and slavery under the guise of biological determinism.

Although modern genetic research has debunked racial hierarchies, these outdated notions continue to shape societal structures. West’s faith in scientific reasoning is admirable, but it may be optimistic to believe that data alone can dismantle centuries of systemic discrimination. Changing minds and policies requires more than just proving racism exists—it demands sustained activism and institutional reform.

The political stakes of racial equity

The book arrives at a pivotal moment in global politics. In the United States, recent executive orders have sought to dismantle DEI programs in both government and corporate sectors, reinforcing existing racial power structures. West’s research underscores why these initiatives are necessary, providing empirical evidence that systemic racism will not disappear without active intervention.

For those unfamiliar with the academic discourse on racism, The Science of Racism serves as an urgent and accessible introduction. It is a book that does not offer easy answers or uplifting conclusions, but it provides readers with the knowledge to recognize and challenge racial biases in society.

While science alone may not be enough to end racism, West’s work is a crucial step in proving that it exists, persists, and demands action.

Explore more in Books

Julian Baggini examines the ethics, production, and cultural impact of food.
Frances Perkins battled U.S. immigration policies to rescue Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany.
The battle over wind farming in Montana pits struggling ranchers against wealthy landowners and environmental concerns.