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To what extent is the standard structural definition of racism structurally racist? (reddthat.com)

submitted 1 day ago by cockmushroom@reddthat.com to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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There're a number definitions of racism that preclude non-whites from the ability to be racist. Some allow for them to be considered prejudiced. Some are expressed as formulas (priviledge+power or prejutice+power) with the key concept being power. I (relatively uninformedly) refer to these as structural definitions.

The question is as the title suggests, and if you're so inclined, please explain what you think should be made of a resolution in either direction. Is it fine if it is? Should be? Should it not? That sort of thing (and why if you've the time).

Would honestly prefer supporters of these definitions to respond though all are welcome; i'd be less likely to engage with your response if it reads like a shitpost in either case.

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[-] SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 1 day ago

No one is saying that individuals of any ethnicity can't be bigoted. The point being made is that, in our current society, the societal structure that we call "racism" - the social machinery that empowers white bigots to enact violence against people of color and get away with it, and disadvantages non-white people in all sorts of other ways - lends a certain weight to the prejudices of white folks that just isn't true for the prejudices of other people. Disadvantaged people who hate all white people just aren't a threat to white people the way that even well meaning white people are to people of color.

In other words: the prejudices of those in power are a much more pressing social ill because the ruling majority ethnicity/culture has the power to actively cause harm via those prejudices.

this post was submitted on 18 Mar 2026

-5 points (27.3% liked)

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