but this happens to be a big deal to me, and the importance of the issue is backed up by research. For example:

Not Yet Human: Implicit Knowledge, Historical Dehumanization, and Contemporary Consequences

From the abstract: "In a series of laboratory studies, the authors reveal how this association influences study participants’ basic cognitive processes and significantly alters their judgments in criminal justice contexts. Specifically, this Black–ape association alters visual perception and attention, and it increases endorsement of violence against Black suspects."