Racism does have many meanings but only mine matters! I never said that but I hear it in myself and in others.
So, the Anti-Defamation League offers this definition:
Racism is the belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another, that a person’s social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics. Racial separatism is the belief, most of the time based on racism, that different races should remain segregated and apart from one another.
Kind of narrows it down some. Do you ever hear this version?
Racism was slavery.
No. I thought not and I feel good that you haven't heard that one. Racism isn't over even if slavery is less visible around the world. Or, to Americanize the discussion, even if American, Southern, plantation, Pre-Civil War, slavery disappeared more than 100 years ago.
Weeks ago, I heard about a 'collective.' As in, "I want my collective to rise up and dominate all others."
I let that slide past me knowing I couldn't know what the speaker meant.
IF, and that's a big if as usual, if the collective's membership excludes or includes based on race,...
Maybe I felt no need to ask. Maybe I assumed the Black speaker meant 'my race' over any other race. Maybe I waited to learn more since I miss some nuance in discussions.
I got some clarity today as the discussion had recently turned to reparations much to the surprise of many. I said reparations and the discussion of reparation harmed the speakers point of view. That 'reparations' is a word which triggers spin. As in, the Black race is sitting around waiting for something to be given to them.
Yeah, I walked into that with my eyes open. Take a look at the starting point, the following internet meme.
Did I miss something or should I be moving away from this individual's collective before it does dominate 'my collective' and impose reparations as a 'Final Solution' to 'racism?
Or wait a while longer hoping for clarity.
