Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Racist"

To sign 'racist,' you will combine two distinct concepts. First, form 'R' handshapes with both hands by crossing your middle fingers over your index fingers, and hold them up with your palms facing forward. Next, smoothly transition into the sign for 'discriminate' or 'prejudice.' To do this, hold your non-dominant hand flat with the palm facing up. Then, use your flat dominant hand—with the palm facing sideways—and slide its pinky edge forward across your non-dominant palm.

Examples Using "Racist" in a Sentence

1

The speaker condemned the racist remarks.

To express this, you would sign 'SPEAKER', 'CONDEMN' (or 'REJECT'), 'RACIST', and 'COMMENT'. Ensure the two-part motion for 'racist' is clearly articulated so the meaning isn't lost. The context of the sentence makes it clear you are describing the remarks.

2

We need to educate people to prevent racist behavior.

Sign 'WE', 'NEED', 'TEACH', 'PEOPLE', 'PREVENT', 'RACIST', 'BEHAVIOR'. When signing 'racist' in a string of complex words, practice the smooth transition from the 'R' handshapes to the sliding palm motion so the flow of your sentence remains natural and unbroken.

3

She wrote a book about overcoming racist systems.

You can sign 'SHE', 'WRITE', 'BOOK', 'ABOUT', 'OVERCOME', 'RACIST', 'SYSTEM'. Remember that this sign functions as an adjective here, describing the system. The compound nature of the sign effectively conveys the heavy concept of racial discrimination.

How to Sign "Racist"
To sign 'racist,' you will combine two distinct concepts. First, form 'R' handshapes with both hands by crossing your middle fingers over your index fingers, and hold them up with your palms facing forward. Next, smoothly transition into the sign for 'discriminate' or 'prejudice.' To do this, hold your non-dominant hand flat with the palm facing up. Then, use your flat dominant hand—with the palm facing sideways—and slide its pinky edge forward across your non-dominant palm.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a highly logical compound that literally translates to 'race discrimination.' The first part uses initialized 'R' handshapes to represent the English word 'race.' The second part of the sign is the standard ASL sign for 'discriminate' or 'prejudice.' The sliding hand motion visually represents pushing someone aside, crossing them out, or treating them unfairly. Together, these two visual concepts perfectly encapsulate the core meaning of racial prejudice.
Signing Tips
When executing this compound sign, focus on clarity over speed. Make sure your 'R' handshapes are clearly visible before you transition into the second part of the sign. The sliding motion of your dominant hand across your non-dominant palm should be a single, deliberate movement forward. This firm motion helps emphasize the serious nature of the concept of discrimination. Keep your facial expressions appropriate for the heavy subject matter, as ASL relies heavily on non-manual markers to convey tone.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake for beginners is rushing the transition between the 'R' handshapes and the sliding motion, which can make the sign look messy or confusing. Make sure both parts of the compound sign are distinct. Additionally, be careful not to bounce your dominant hand during the second part of the sign; it should be a single, smooth slide across the palm rather than a repeated chopping motion, which could be mistaken for a different sign.
Regional Variations
Some signers may add the 'PERSON' marker (both flat hands moving straight downward) at the very end of the sign to specifically denote a 'racist individual.' However, many signers rely entirely on context and use the compound shown in the video for both the noun and the adjective. You might also see 'racism' signed by moving the 'R' handshapes in alternating circles without the second discrimination motion, depending on the region.
Examples Using "Racist" in a Sentence
1

The speaker condemned the racist remarks.

To express this, you would sign 'SPEAKER', 'CONDEMN' (or 'REJECT'), 'RACIST', and 'COMMENT'. Ensure the two-part motion for 'racist' is clearly articulated so the meaning isn't lost. The context of the sentence makes it clear you are describing the remarks.

2

We need to educate people to prevent racist behavior.

Sign 'WE', 'NEED', 'TEACH', 'PEOPLE', 'PREVENT', 'RACIST', 'BEHAVIOR'. When signing 'racist' in a string of complex words, practice the smooth transition from the 'R' handshapes to the sliding palm motion so the flow of your sentence remains natural and unbroken.

3

She wrote a book about overcoming racist systems.

You can sign 'SHE', 'WRITE', 'BOOK', 'ABOUT', 'OVERCOME', 'RACIST', 'SYSTEM'. Remember that this sign functions as an adjective here, describing the system. The compound nature of the sign effectively conveys the heavy concept of racial discrimination.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to add the 'person' sign at the end?

In many contexts, the compound sign shown in the video is enough to mean 'racist.' However, if you want to emphasize that you are talking about a specific individual rather than an abstract concept, you can add the 'person' marker (both flat hands sliding down) at the end.

Can this exact sign also be used to mean 'racism'?

Yes, this same compound sign is widely used for both 'racist' and 'racism.' ASL often uses the same sign for related nouns and adjectives. The exact meaning is usually clear based on the context of your sentence and the surrounding signs.

Why does the second part of the sign look a bit like 'cancel'?

The second part of the sign is the standard ASL sign for 'discriminate' or 'prejudice.' The motion of sliding the hand across the palm visually represents pushing something away, rejecting it, or crossing it out, which aligns perfectly with discriminatory behavior.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!