Does Racism today affect more than just minority groups?

In continuation of my last blog (http://www.progressiveu.org/151704-the-birth-of-racism) I would like to reiterate that there is a difference between the racism of today and the racism of yester-year.

The largest difference, undoubtedly, is that people have begun to believe that it's a part of human nature to be racist. Clearly, this is untrue - or there would be evidence of racism dating back to the beginning of civilization rather than just 200 or so years. Additionally, there is the desire, and the fight, to completely abolish racism - fought by members of all races present here in America. People with the strongest racial feelings are, for the most part, in hiding because it's not well-liked, and not a popular idea.

Another difference is that racism is affecting everyone: White, Black, Hispanic... all of them. And it's going so far that people are blindly calling out "racism" for every thing!

For example, there is a debate on Affirmative Action and whether or not this supplement to the equality laws is needed. Several people from all races agree that this is no longer needed; that it is antiquated and serves - at best - to lower the standards by which members of a minority group will be accepted. Additionally, these same people are arguing that keeping Affirmative Action further divides races and serves to promote racism by insinuating that members of minorities could not be accepted by their merits or qualifications unless the standards were lowered for them. So, they fight to abolish Affirmative Action, and what happens? Another group of people, again consisting of members from every race, cry out "Racism!" and claim that those people who want to abolish Affirmative Action only want to do so to make it harder for minorities and to promote the priveleges of White Americans. They argue that Affirmative Action does not lower the standards of acceptance, but instead ensures that people of a minority race will receive a fair shot at their desired job or school. They believe the anti-discrimination laws are not enough to protect the equal positions and opportunities for members of minority groups.

How can both having Affirmative Action and abolishing Affirmative Action be considered racist?

Another accusation roaming around is the thought that racism only affects members of a minority group. What? But I've seen these accusations more often than not on this very site, not to mention several other sites across the Internet. Okay, racism is defined as the following:

1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

(racism. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved February 17, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism)

Check out number 3 - hatred or intolerance of another race or other races. Where does it say "of minority races"? Here are two other definitions from two other dictionaries:

1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

(racism. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved February 17, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism)

1. the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races
2. discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race

(racism. (n.d.). WordNet® 3.0. Retrieved February 17, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism)

So, if racism is about prejudices against a race - then it includes all races! End of story. Don't agree? Go write your own dictionary and have it accepted by the rest of the people.

I've met people of all races who feel that at some point in time they have been the victim of racism. And it doesn't matter whether I agree or not that it was truly racism and not something else that their perception has manipulated into racism - they feel it. That makes it a valid concern and points to the problem that racism, and the feelings thereof, affects everyone! Can a black person be racist against a white person? YES! Don't tell me it's impossible because he's black and racism only works in one direction. I'm not stupid enough for that.