Crossword Genius

Hearty hosts linked bigotry to social exclusion (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ostracism

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'social exclusion' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'hearty hosts linked bigotry' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'bigotry' could be 'racism' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'racism' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ost' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ostracism that I've seen before include "Shunning" , "Exclusion from a group or society" , "Rejection" , "transferring to Coventry?" , "cold shoulder" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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