What is racism? It’s not bias, prejudice, discrimination, and hate. They can be elements of racism, but racism exists without them. Racism is a political and economic system, supported by cultural traits. Racism is a system that rewards and punishes. It works with and within other systems: political, economical, judicial, social, ect.
Since Reagan, racism has undergone two major changes. Before Reagan, racism was direct, confrontational; words, laws, and physical violence were designed and used to intimidate a population and stymie their choices of jobs, neighborhoods, education, and other such opportunities. Advantages were plainly given to whites.
After Reagan, racism has become indirect. Employing sophisticated tactics of denial, racism became a system in which race, and the racist, is a myth. Voter ids, police violence, skewed statistics, hyperbole and rhetorical arguments from both sides are touted to instill and foment fear or artificially prop up the false notion of a need for enhanced security; meanwhile race is hiding in the background.
Racism also has a white component. Sometimes it portrays whites as victims, sometimes as protectors and adjudicators. They fly the flag, celebrate Confederate day, ignoring the Dylan Roofs of the world all the while chanting, Stop living in the past. Just get over it.
In its new form, whites are idiot-proof. The absence of substance is overlooked to focus on this distorted reality. Kellyanne Conway deflects with 'Alternative Facts', They came after us! The new racism shuts down dialogue to cope with any protest. Creates excuses in order to normalize racist behavior and proudly stands on the White House lawn (or in the Press Room) to shout: Be loyal! Don’t disrespect your President! NOW THAT HE IS WHITE!
It appears benign, but its point is still power. Racism is a system. It is protecting its power by making its privilege idiot-proof.
