What is the definition of racism? When you say the word \u201cracism,\u201d what exactly are you referring to? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The everyday definition of racism is not as simple as prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of race. According to Ijeoma Oluo, the author of So You Want to Talk About Race<\/em>, we usually refer to one of two different (but superficially similar) definitions when we talk about racism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read about the two definitions of racism, according to Ijeoma Oluo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n What is your definition of racism? When you use the word \u201cracism,\u201d what exactly do you mean? Chances are you\u2019ll be referring to one of two different definitions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re working from the first definition, it makes sense to talk about \u201creverse racism\u201d and prejudice against whites, get horribly offended if someone calls you a \u201ccracker,\u201d and see affirmative action as unfair. The goal of reducing racism is more atomized:<\/strong> All we need to do is change the minds of individual people and we\u2019re set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re working from the second definition, you understand that there\u2019s no such thing as \u201creverse racism,\u201d that \u201ccracker\u201d may be unpleasant but it has little impact on your life, and that affirmative action is redressing a historical imbalance. You understand that if a person of color is prejudiced against white people, this prejudice isn\u2019t backed by any institutional power. A black person can\u2019t get a white person fired, arrested, or killed by invoking historical prejudices. But if a white person sees a black person as a \u201cnigger,\u201d they can cause the black person to lose their job, get arrested, get put in jail, or be killed by people working within the power structures that support that belief.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is the Definition of Racism?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n