Racism is Racism

Tuesday, March 3, 2015


Earlier today, I was scrolling through Tumblr and saw an ignorant post. Surprise, surprise. They pop up occasionally on any social media platforms so I didn't think much of it. Then, the number of notes caught my eye; over 60,000 people had either reblogged or liked the post.

"WHITE PEOPLE WHO DEFEND REVERSE RACISM MAKE ME LAUGH LIKE OOH SOMEONE CALLED YOU A CRACKER ARE YOU GETTING FLASHBACKS OF OWNING LAND AND PEOPLE"

First off, the term "reverse racism" is a problem. The fact that "reverse" had to precede the word "racism" makes it clear that it is considered a lesser form of prejudice. While I know the Tumblr user who posted this did not create the term, the usage of it still makes me cringe.  Racism is racism.

Moreover, I believe racist jokes are a horrific attempt at comedy. No matter what group is being targeted, I do not find the humor in it. I used to work at a pizza place and I remember a group of my coworkers and I were working on a batch of dough when someone said a joke insulting black people. It didn't stop at one either, they spiraled out of control. At one point, one of the middle-aged women had apologized to me but said I would understand if I had met her husband. I could careless who she is married to, because her words and actions belong to her, not him. Likewise, your words and actions belong to you. If you don't find a joke funny, you don't have to laugh. If you don't like what someone has to say, you are allowed to speak up and say something different.

Also, the term "cracker" is similar to the n-word; yet, only one of those words is considered unacceptable. I do understand that removing the word "cracker" from the English language might be a bit tricky. We don't have to go around saying "the c-word" or anything (HoneyMaid Graham C-Word, oyster c-word, saltine c-word... yep, it doesn't have the same ring to it). I do not, however, think it would be too much trouble to avoid using the word "cracker" in a derogatory way. If someone called me a cracker, would I get offended? Probably not, because I try not to take offense to many things. I have realized that people don't always intend to be as insulting as they sometimes are. It doesn't make it alright, but it doesn't mean they are a bad person either. Just as people are taught hatred and intolerance, people are taught love. I try to show them the right way rather than blow up on them.

Returning to the original post, if I ever start getting flashbacks to the era when white people took people from Africa and legally made them into slaves, I'll be making an appointment with a psychologist. I am responsible for my own actions, but I am not responsible for my ancestors' choices. If your parent committed a crime, would you want to be known as a criminal? No. So imagine being judged for what your great-great-something is responsible for. That is not okay.

Racism is still an active problem today. The solution, however, is not to counteract the discrimination of one race with the discrimination of another.

I encourage you to see people for who they are, 
not what they are. 

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