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Race relations is a concept which emerged in Chicago following the Chicago race riot of 1919.[1] In the wake of this violence the city authorities established the Chicago Commission on Race Relations. This was composed entirely of men, six African-Americans and six European-Americans.[2][3]However it was through the establishment of the Department of Social Anthropology under the leadership of Kenneth Little at the University of Edinburgh, that the concept became institutionally significant in the United Kingdom.[1]


The Institute of Race Relations was established in 1958. Its remit was to research, publish and collect resources on race relations across the world. However in 1972 In 1972, the membership of the institute supported the staff in the radical transformation of the organisation: rather than being a policy-oriented academic institution it became an anti-racist think tank.[4]

The Race Relations Board was created following the passing of the Race Relations Act 1965 as a body "to assess and resolve individual cases of discrimination."[5] Its remit was originally restricted to places of public resort and regarding disposal of tenancies, but this was expanded with the passage of the Race Relations Act 1968.[5]

Legislation in the UKEdit

The Race Relations Act 1965 was the first piece of legislation in the United Kingdom to outlaw racial discrimination.

The Race Relations Act 1968 was the second piece of such legislation.

The Race Relations Act 1976 was the third piece of such legislation.

See alsoEdit


  1. ^ a b Shilliam, Robbie. "How Black Deficit Entered the British Academy" (PDF). Robbie Shilliam. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  2. ^ "The Chicago Race Riot of 1919". History. History com. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  3. ^ The Negro in Chicago; a study of race relations and a race riot. Chicago, Illinois: The University of Chicago Press. 1922. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  4. ^ "About". Institute of Race Relations. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  5. ^ a b "First Report of the Race Relations Board". UK Parliament. UK Parliament. Retrieved 29 June 2019.