Tensions and division between racial and ethnic groups are on the rise. In the past few years, a new and controversial term had been used, mostly, by white people: reverse racism. It is used to describe how members of minority groups unfairly treat them. As a white woman, I am here to tell you that "reverse racism" IS NOT A THING!
Reverse racism is a term used to describe any discrimination of race directed against a member of a dominant or privileged racial group (i.e. white people). The term itself tells exactly why this isn't a thing. Zeba Blay points out in her article 4 ‘Reverse Racism’ Myths That Need To Stop that, "At its core, racism is a system in which a dominant race benefits off the oppression of others — whether they want to or not."
Here is why reverse racism doesn't exist. Those who are criticized for using reverse racism in no way, shape, or form are in any position of privilege to use, or have access to, racism. Racism only works if it is used by a group or race of people who are seen as more dominant or superior than another. At the most, those in minority groups can use prejudice.
Many people confuse both racism and prejudice. Prejudice is defined in the dictionary as the "preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience." The only difference between them is that you act on racism and it is used to keep minorities from advancing in society, whereas prejudice is just a thought or assumption we have of someone based on their race, sexuality, etc.
I don't know why people that are seen as more "superior" and dominant in our society have to go out of their way to tell the world, "hey, we're oppressed too." WHITE PEOPLE ARE NOT OPPRESSED! And this is coming from a white person. If American History has taught us anything, its that when it comes to race, white Americans had more rights, opportunity, and privilege that literally anyone. That is not an opinion. That is a fact!
Just because members of minority groups are trying to rise above their oppression, it does not make them racists. If anything, you're probably racist and are using racism and oppression by demeaning and dismissing their statements with terms like reverse racism.
Those who argue reverse racism use statements like, "Black History Month excludes white people. That's just racist!" Okay, first of all, the reason why things like black history month exist is because most of history, especially American history, IS White history. We learn more about presidents, women's' rights, and Betsy Ross than we do about African American history. If we just covered ALL of American history, to begin with, this conversation would never happen.
We are living in a time where there is more racial divide than inclusion. There is more hate than acceptance. We live in a diverse, colorful, and beautiful culture. We need to stop diminishing other people's progress towards equality by labeling it as racism. It is 2017, and it is time we begin to move away from and extinguish the effects of racism. It only has power if we give it power. So, let's not give it power.