Why the caveat about disregarding historical status? Given that we're still living with its very ill effects, what legitimate reason can there be for ignoring its source?
Why the caveat about disregarding historical status?
Let me rephrase that: My dictionary defines racism as "discrimination against or antagonism towards other races". It does not say anything about historical social status in its definition of "racism".
Given that we're still living with its very ill effects, what legitimate can there be for ignoring its source?
Trying to correct the continuing effects of past racism can be a justification for discriminating on the basis of race. But the fact that it is a justifiable form of racism doesn't mean that it is not a form of racism.
Sorry, actual racism is rooted in the belief that one race is morally and intrinsically superior to another, and that this supposed difference should be reflected in law, the economy, and pretty much every other imaginable facet of society society. Obviously it's possible to take race into account when making efforts to reverse the ill effects of they historically racist nation without subscribing to the anti-egalitarian beliefs that originally defined it
You're certainly welcome to believe that, but as several people here have repeatedly pointed out, that's not how the dictionary or common usage of the term understands it. If you insist on using nonstandard definitions of terms you shouldn't be surprised when you have a hard time getting your point across.
And my point is "common among whom?" If the same percentage of black people and white people define a word in the same way then it safe to say that definition does not carry racist connotations. But if "common sense" actually means "common sense among white people only" then I'm sure you can see how inherently racist the concept (and the definition you cite) may be, and why it's time for more up-to-date understanding.
Right now there's a lot of contention surrounding the definition of racism because the definitions in contemporary dictionaries does not reflect the understanding that racism is a structural problem. Focusing exclusively on behaviors and not on deeply rooted systems strikes victims of those unjust systems as a form of moral evasion. If you're not a committed to preserving and propagating racist systems, then you shouldn't have any problem changing the definition to one that everybody can agree on . And if you do have a problem with an insufficient definition…well, then maybe you're a part of the larger problem the people are now addressing.
One more thought on definitions; remember that the US Constitution used to define black people as 3/5th of a human being for purposes of calculating the size of congressional delegations and 0/5th for everything else. The point here is prevailing definitions encapsulate broader social conventions. When dealing with words that have become bones of contention, it's advisable to make sure you're aware of the conventions the are being included in the definitions you choose to defend.
Then lets just ignore all words and communicate with newly-made hand signals that have no possibility of racial influence.
So you say 'racism' has been co-opted by those in power? And then get angry that everyone uses this white-centric words to define the concept of racism without all the baggage of history?
Its clear you are having communication problems. You already stated the word 'racism' has been redefined by those races in power - why do you keep using it then?
If every rant about racism has to be accompanied by a long winded explanation of how the word 'racism' should really be defined you are only hurting your cause.
Why does paying attention to the source offer any benefit in creating a friendly, welcoming, and open environment, which is the alleged goal of this CoC? If someone is being harassed or discriminated against based on their race, they are being harassed or discriminated against based on their race. The fact that their great-grandfather was not discriminated against doesn't change their situation now.
