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Originally Posted by Cain

So something is only racist with centuries upon centuries of inequality?

I don't think many people dispute that racism exists, is a problem and should have a discussion to move forward on, I just hesitate to say that certain groups of people are exempt from being racist or being victims of racism...you know because that sounds somewhat racist itself.

Racism is racism. All ways. All directions.

I would definitely agree that one problem is much much less of an issue, but it seems silly to ignore it completely, or worse, contend it isn't even possible.

Just me though.

Maybe there needs to be a small r racism and a capital R racism so people can distinguish between individual acts of intolerance/prejudice between people of all backgrounds and the more recent sociological view of Racism.

What is Racism
Defining "RACISM": The Power Factor


http://www.ucalgary.ca/cared/racismandpower

Racism:

occurs when an expression of Racial Prejudice emerges from a more powerful/privileged location in the hierarchy, and is directed at an individual/group in a less powerful/privileged location;
occurs where the target of the prejudice has less power than the perpetrator;
is top-down;
is an exercise of Power;
refers not only to social attitudes towards non-dominant ethnic and racial groups but also to social structures and actions which oppress, exclude, limit and discriminate against such individuals and groups. Such social attitudes originate in and rationalize discriminatory treatment;
can be seen in discriminatory laws, residential segregation, poor health care, inferior education, unequal economic opportunity and the exclusion and distortion of the perspectives of non-dominant Canadians in cultural institutions. (Thomas, 1987);
refers to “a system in which one group of people exercises power over another on the basis of skin colour; an implicit or explicit set of beliefs, erroneous assumptions, and actions based on an ideology of the inherent superiority of one racial group over another, and evident in organizational or institutional structures and programs as well as in individual thought or behaviour patterns (Henry & Tator, 2006, p. 352).