Re: A Public School System Defines Racism


*Anarcissie* wrote:
Seattle School Board:
Racism:
The systematic subordination of members of targeted racial groups

Arindam Banerjee wrote:
A wrong and self-serving definition by the dominant. Racism means
dehumanisation of other races on a scientific, theological, snob,
aesthetic, etc. basis; and thus allowing slavery, conquest, murder,
robbery, exploitation etc. of other lands and peoples with a good
conscience.

The trouble with your more fullblooded definition is that it fails
to cover the more subtle cases, with which the school board
is probably concerned, inasmuch as racial slavery, conquest,
murder etc., have probably slacked off some in the Seattle
area in recent years.

Indeed, they are talking of *racial prejudice* instead of racism as
racism was understood till recently. I was differentiating between
*racial prejudice* and *racism*. Racism is a theory based upon
criteria for group superiority and the associated rights and duties of
the superior group; racial prejudice relates to denial of opportunity,
a denial of significant existence - and hence, is an effective
anti-competitive measure by the dominant groups to subordinate the
other groups.

It seems to me that like meaning of the word "liberal" the meaning of
"racism" is changing with time and place.

.