There is no such thing as "Reverse Racism"

In the US especially, I often here white folks claiming reverse racism when they feel uncomfortable. Well, the truth of the matter is that condition does not exist. There is absolutely no such thing. Why?

For starters, if you haven't already, this is a must read:

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsackby Peggy McIntosh “I was taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness, not in invisible systems conferring dominance on my group” DAILY EFFECTS OF WHITE PRIVILEGE I decided to try to work on myself at least by identifying some of the daily effects of white privilege in my life. I have chosen those conditions that I think in my case attach somewhat more to skin-color privilege than to class, religion, ethnic status, or geographic location, though of course all these other factors are intricately intertwined. As far as I can tell, my African American coworkers, friends, and acquaintances with whom I come into daily or frequent contact in this particular time, place and time of work cannot count on most of these conditions.

Peggy does an excellent job of speaking to privilege and power, the key components of why reverse racism does not exist. This next piece spells it out as well. A white person can feel prejudice or bigotry, but not racism, not when the systems of power in place exult people to an advantage simply because they are white.

White folks are not oppressed, and yes #alllives matter, but failing to understand the prominence and importance of #blacklivesmatter misses the point entirely. Systems of injustice are in place today built on the imperial, colonial legacy of the past. To move forward these systems must be confronted, called out and obliterated. If there is ever to be peace, sustainability and justice, look at all systems of power-political/economic/race/class/gender/sexuality/age/ability/-then look at all oppressions to the earth and people. Some "people" created these systems and yes, some very small numbers of people thrive because of them. The rest of the world and its total life systems are forced to take on unnatural burdens because of these systems. Is this fair? If people created these oppressive systems of racist laws and dominating capitalist principles, can't something else be created to honors all living systems?

In Solidarity.