"Reverse racism and reverse sexism are stupid terms. It's not a one way street. Usually when you have a moral theory that isolates one group as capable of being racist, for example, but another group cannot be, then you have a bad moral theory"
Discussing racism without considering the power dynamic is a meaningless exercise. An individual without power holding racial prejudices has a vastly different impact than an individual in a position of power holding racial prejudices (supported by societal structures that also help uphold them.) That's why there is a distinction, in academic circles, between racism and prejudice. Anyone can be prejudiced or bigoted. Only someone in a position of power can be racist.
Quibble about dictionary definitions all you want, but the point of that distinction is that simply saying "everyone can be racist; there is no such thing as "reverse racism!" solves absolutely nothing. It's about as useful as saying "I don't see color!" It does nothing to solve the actual real-life problems being faced by people because of decades of inertia driving ingrained inequalities in our society. It's nothing more than an easy way to give lip-service to egalitarian ideals without actually having to wrestle with the difficult work of actually seeing where inequalities exist and doing something tangible to combat them.
no subject
Discussing racism without considering the power dynamic is a meaningless exercise. An individual without power holding racial prejudices has a vastly different impact than an individual in a position of power holding racial prejudices (supported by societal structures that also help uphold them.) That's why there is a distinction, in academic circles, between racism and prejudice. Anyone can be prejudiced or bigoted. Only someone in a position of power can be racist.
Quibble about dictionary definitions all you want, but the point of that distinction is that simply saying "everyone can be racist; there is no such thing as "reverse racism!" solves absolutely nothing. It's about as useful as saying "I don't see color!" It does nothing to solve the actual real-life problems being faced by people because of decades of inertia driving ingrained inequalities in our society. It's nothing more than an easy way to give lip-service to egalitarian ideals without actually having to wrestle with the difficult work of actually seeing where inequalities exist and doing something tangible to combat them.