Introduction: Writing histories of racism and antiracism in Europe

The article discusses two key concepts – “cultural racism” and “intersectionality” – arguing that they may serve as useful heuristic devices for studying the history of racism and antiracism in postwar Europe. This is followed by a brief historical sketch of the development of racist thought and practice and antiracist movements in Switzerland, (West) Germany, and Poland (with brief references to France and Brit ain), as well as an outline of recent historiography. In conclusion, we examine whether Critical Whiteness Studies and Afropessimism may constitute fruitful avenues for further research.