Defining Racism

1. If we want to work on solutions to racism, we need a common definition and a common analysis of racism.
   
2. Racism is not the same thing as individual race prejudice and bigotry. All people are racially prejudiced (regardless of racial/ethnic identity). It is part of the air we breathe. It is socialized into every person. But this does not mean that everyone is racist.
   
3. Racism is more than race prejudice. It is more than individual attitudes and actions. Racism is the collective actions of a dominant racial group.
   
4. Power turns race prejudice into racism. Racial prejudice becomes racism when one group's racial prejudices are enforced by the systems and institutions of a society, giving power and privilege based on skin color to the group in power, and limiting the power and privilege of the racial groups that are not in power. Racism is, therefore, the misuse of systemic power.

Racism Terms and Definitions

• RACE -- A fluctuating, decentered complex of social meanings ... formed & transformed under the constant pressure of political struggle ... not an independent "given" on which the law acts, rather a social construction at least in part determined by law ...

  --- Ian Haney Lopez, White by Law

• PEOPLE OF COLOR -- Any person who is not considered white.
  
• PREJUDICE -- To prejudge; an uninformed judgement; preconceived ideas; stereotypes; carefully taught from generation to generation.
  
• STEREOTYPES -- Taught in society as children tohave prejudices
  
• SYSTEMIC -- Of or relating to a system; affect the body generally (from Webster's Collegiate Dictionary)
  
• RACISM -- The misuse of power by systems and institutions
  • NOT the same as race prejudice and bigotry. All people are racially prejudiced, regardless of racial/ethnic identity. It is part of the air we breathe. It is socialized into every person. Nevertheless, this does not mean that everyone is racist.
  • Racism is more than race prejudice. It is more than individual attitudes and actions (NON-racist). Racism is the collective actions of a dominant racial group.
  • POWER turns race prejudice into racism. Racial prejudice becomes racism when one group's racial prejudices are enforced by the systems and institutions of a society, giving power and privilege based on skin color to the group in power, and limiting the power and privilege of the racial groups that are not in power.
  • RACISM IS, THEREFORE, THE MISUSE OF SYSTEMIC POWER.
• BONDS -- Ties, shackles, fetters, manacles, yoke, handcuffs, binding
  
• TENET -- A principle or belief; doctrine, conviction, creed, canon, rule, teaching
  
• DISMANTLE -- Take apart, strip, break down, tear down, demolish, level