This is probably a really stupid question, but why is prejudice against homosexuals described as being a phobia, but prejudice against other groups such as black people or Jews or old people described as being an "ism"?
For example, prejudice against homosexuals is homophobia, but prejudice against people of a different race is racism, prejudice against Jews is antisemitism, and prejudice against old people is ageism.
Is there an "ism" meaning prejudice against homosexuals? I guess that sexism is already taken.
Is there such a thing as blackaphobia/raceaphobia, or ageaphobia, or Jewaphobia/semitaphobia?
My spell checker says no, but ....
For example, prejudice against homosexuals is homophobia, but prejudice against people of a different race is racism, prejudice against Jews is antisemitism, and prejudice against old people is ageism.
Is there an "ism" meaning prejudice against homosexuals? I guess that sexism is already taken.
Is there such a thing as blackaphobia/raceaphobia, or ageaphobia, or Jewaphobia/semitaphobia?
My spell checker says no, but ....