*** Posted to the African-American Group ***

[Glassunion]

29. I take to applying the definition of a word from a linguistic approach.

I view the word racism, as it is currently defined. Using the actual definition of the word, the word racism is not bound by a particular race, nor can any race be free from the definition. Bigotry, is defined with a more broad term that can even be leveled between two people of the same race.

To me, racism is a narrowly defined word, and by itself can be a behavior of any race. However, when used within a qualifying statement, the definition can be either narrowed or widened. Examples: Racist Culture, or Institutional Racism.

Now here is the US, I find that I could be racist (narrow definition) towards a white person, however I lack both the majority, and the power to have any cultural impact on the people as a whole or any meaningful impact on a white person as an individual by discriminating against them, because our culture is stacked in favor of the white majority.

You are absolutely correct to dispute that racism is a "two-way street" here in the US. It's a bullshit statement made by folks who cannot get past the narrow definition of the word "racism". Especially when discussing privilege. Privilege in this country, is both a cultural and institutional form of racism. A better analogy would be that racism is a "8-lane freeway running in one direction, and a gravel cart path running in the other" here in the US.