Racism 101

The world has come a long way in terms of learning acceptance and racism exists in a degree far less devastating than it has in the past. The problem is though, that it still does exist and along with racism exists racial prejudice. People who do not know the difference between racial prejudice and racism often mix the two concepts up. It is important to note first that many of the actions and words accused of being full blown racist are actually just signs of prejudice with racial undertones. Racial prejudice is a prejudging of someone or a group of people before one even gets to know what they are like based on cultural backgrounds or physical attributes. 

It is composed of five parts: 

1. Antilocution (speaking against someone; ethnic jokes) 
2. Avoidance (self segregation)
3. Discrimination (taking deliberate step to deny people of their fundamental rights)
4. Physical attack (hate crimes, gang violence, desecration of property) 
5. Extermination (ethnic cleansing) 

RACISM occurs when that racial prejudice is taken and coupled with the power to oppress. RACISM is when one person thinks that they are essentially superior to others because of their skin color and traditions. 

All humans are unique. However, the same individualistic characteristics that have been sources of strength,inspiration and identity for many people throughout history have also set the basis from which discrimination and oppression have sprouted and spread their grubby roots. Sure, people are different in their social and cultural habits, and distinct backgrounds set groups of people apart. What's so wrong with that? Besides, today science shows that all humans share a common ancestor. We may all act and speak and eat and dance and play and sing and work and express ourselves differently, and believe in dissimilar things, but when it comes down to it we're all human. There are factors that set us apart from the beasts and fish and bugs and birds of the animal kingdom, the factors that we can all collectively claim to make us human. 

We aren't so wholly and completely disparate after all. However, cultures still retain their differences and I think that scares people. Racism exists because people are afraid to get to know something beyond what they are familiar with. They do not wish to embrace the things they did not grow up seeing and hearing and learning, and as a result we lash out at those "abnormalities," making a mockery of them, and stomping morales and personalities into the filthy ground  in a fit of ignorance and rotting fear. 

Here are some follow up questions on racism to consider (The question in bold my responses in regular font.): 

Is it racist for a person (of any color) to tell race-based jokes? (Is it worse if it’s a white man telling the joke? Is it less of a problem if it’s a black man?)
It depends on what the joke is, and the degree of vulgarity the joke possesses, but overall a race-base joke isn't exactly racism it falls more under the category of racial prejudice. No matter what the joke is, or what color the person is telling the joke, it is still hurtful and immoral to poke fun at another race.

Is it racist for anyone, regardless of color, to use the word “nigger”?
It is a derogatory term and shouldn't be used, by anyone, no matter the context. That word has been used by racist people in the past, what makes the meaning of the word any different now? 

Is it racist for a restaurant wait staff to let a Latino couple who arrive early for the dinner rush wait until everybody else has been served?
Yes, it is because the wait staff should have served the couple first, since they got there early. They wait staff had the obligation to seat and serve the couple but used their power to degrade the couple. 

Is it racist for a small-business loan officer to favor a loan to a Latino over a loan to an Asian person simply because the Latino is in greater need?
It is not racist if the only reason the Latino person got the loan is because he was in greater need of it, that is giving the loan to the person who requires its benefits to a greater extent. It does not suggest any malevolence towards people of Asian background. 

Is it racist for a white prospective police officer to be passed over in favor of an African-American because the city is trying to diversify its police force? 
I think that yes, to an extent it is racist. If the white candidate was more qualified and the person that was picking the officers used their power to pass him over, just because of his color.