Racism = prejudice + power.
Any person of any race can hold racial prejudice. In North America, however, white people hold institutional power. Therefore, in North America, racism is the structural discrimination and oppression directed against Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) based on the conscious or unconscious belief of white supremacy. Racism is not a personal attitude or choice, but rather a system of power maintained by violence.
Note: Racism is commonly defined as “prejudice against someone based on their skin color or ethnicity and can be committed by anyone.” This is not an accurate definition, for it highlights individuals' thinking and actions but ignores embedded institutional and cultural systems. In fact, Merriam-Webster Dictionary recently agreed to revise their definition of racism to include the crucial element of power, following a campaign led by recent college graduate Kennedy Mitchum.
Sources: Simmons University Anti-Racism Guide, New York Institute of Technology Anti-Oppression Guide
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