I think we all have at least one Facebook friend who says some really out there...things like “Why is white pride racist, but black pride isn’t,” or “This is reverse racism.” So, let's take a few moments to dissect "reverse racism" and why "white pride" is discriminatory, and frankly racist.

First, we must understand racism, but more specifically racism on a systematic level (institutional racism).

Racism: discrimination directed against someone else based on their race with the belief that ones’ own race is superior.

Institutional racism- a form of racism (discrimination directed against someone else based on their race with the belief that ones’ own race is superior) expressed in the practice of social and political institutions.

By definition because of the framework of America's constitution, our government is set up on institutional racism. Because this country was built on the backs of Africans slaves, we set up a system with its roots in racism. Sure, America had made changes, however when a country’s foundation is literally built on the practice of institutional racism, you never really get rid of that. Up until the civil rights movement of 1960, people of color had difficulties voting, if it were legal was in their area, they were paid a lesser wage, and faced lynching as a potential form of prosecution because of this concept. A few ways that institutional racism still affects people of color is through police brutality, as well as having to serve more time for lesser crimes and through the way, we have laws set up to target them.

Now let's look at the idea of "reverse racism.”If we take the definition of both of these words and put them together in one definition, reverse racism would literally mean the opposite of discrimination directed against someone else based on their race with the belief that ones’ own race is superior, which I don’t believe is the point that’s trying to be made, but it is some beautiful irony. Anyway, because this country was set up on the belief system that any white man (and later white men and women) were better than every single person of color it is not possible for someone to be racist against a white person because this country's framework is meant to put all white people above people of color. What can happen to white people is a term called prejudice.

Prejudice- preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.

That part about the actual experience is especially important when we start talking about race issues that involve police mistreatment because this term cannot be applied. The average black male has experienced racism from a police officer because institutional racism made it possible for that police officer to stop and frisk them based on their skin color, or commit another act of racism. Because of actual experience with police mistreatment, black people can hold a disdain for police officers without it being considered prejudice. If you still can’t understand a person of color not liking police, I will put it a little more simply. If someone has been attacked by a dog, you don’t get mad at them for avoiding dogs, there’s a general understanding that because of their past experience they avoid dogs as to not be attacked again.

Now let's talk about the difference between "white pride" and "black pride." Because of slavery many black people are not able to trace their heritage back further than slavery. When slaves were brought to this country their slave holder wanted to strip them of their identity so that they would not attempt to leave or overthrow their owner. Because black people are unable to trace their history, the term black pride can encompass the possibility of their heritage wherever their specific country of origin maybe. The thing that we must remember about black history is that it didn't start with slavery and they are entitled to be proud of who they are and to pay tribute to that.

"White pride" is a form of racism, plain and simple. White people typically know where they’re from. Their history has been carried down, but even if it wasn’t, their history was not erased by a system that was meant to keep them from being proud of who they are. There are cultural events for white people that are about their heritage and not excluding people of color, which is the goal of using terms like “white pride.” Italian/Irish/German heritage festivals are widely accepted. Those who want to be proud of their heritage can attend these types of events. "White pride" is not about pride in your nationality but rather about pride in the way America was set up in racism, which is something we should acknowledge but not be proud of.

At the end of the day, the only way to fight ignorance is through education. Some people may not be willing to listen to your points but it is never a bad idea to explain to that person on Facebook the differences between racism and prejudice, or why “white pride” is insensitive and racist. I think it’s time that those of us with privilege start acknowledging the struggles of those around us and stop allowing racism go unnoticed.