In 2017, the perception is that there is more push back against racism than ever before. But is there really? It seems as if most people I interact with don't seem to understand what racism even is, let alone make an effort to lessen the damage it causes anyone but who the world tells you to care about. The classical American idea of a racist is based on slavery. So as a result when someone pictures a bigot they see a white man who abhors another racial group, usually blacks and Hispanics. This isn't the only form of racism.
Racism comes in many forms.
Anyone can be racist. There are whites who dislike blacks, blacks who dislike whites, Asians who dislike Hispanics, and so on and so forth. However it looks like the majority of people don't understand this, and although everyone condemns racism. The cool, or funny thing to do is to put down whites based on the color of their skin. To everyone who does this. Yes you're still a racist, and yes you're still an asshole. You do realize that things like this are what births movements like the Alt-Right don't you? Ya know, just the group of people everyone wants to keep from gaining anymore supporters.
My Experience
As a largely Hispanic male (75%) who grew up in Southern California I was racially profiled, discriminated against, and put down for the color of my skin nearly everyday of my adolescent life. For being white.... Yes, you read that right. Despite being primarily Mexican, I have very light skin unlike my parents. Nowadays, it's colored up to the point that 90% of people will identify me as Hispanic. However going through elementary, middle, and the majority of high school I appeared to be "white" due to my skin tone and lack of an ethnic accent.
Growing up, the white males were constantly harassed and humiliated for being a "white boy." AKA, the least desirable combination of race and gender possible. White girls were mostly okay, but still poked fun of at times. Across the board though, the boys were treated as less than everyone else. This isn't limited to just children in school, the entirety of my state has this mindset. Whites are widely seen as "lames," and most people (especially in my age group) consider them to be weak, annoying, or racist. Which is ironic, as this mindset is leaps and bounds more racist than that of nearly any so called "white boy" who goes to my college. Where, more than anywhere else, it's preached that if you're white you have something to be ashamed of.
Yes, Black People can be Racist too
Then there are those who just flat out believe that blacks can't be racist. My first semester of college, I had a sociology teacher who would preach just that. The argument is that racism is, and always has been defined by institutional racism. Which in simple terms is racially discriminatory acts enacted on an affected individual by someone in a position of power over them.
These people argue that since in their world whites control everything and have ultimate power over everyone else. They're the only ones who can be racist. This line of thinking makes me want to run over a small animal with a lawn mower. If these people just said that they don't believe a sufficient amount of African Americans are in a position of power for them to hold a significant level of influence which would allow them to enact racist or bigoted acts onto white people, then that would at least be an argument derived from rational thought. No matter how much I'd still argue with their black and white (pun intended) way of thinking.
The Damage this Causes
The main issue comes in when you argue instead that the definition of the word "racism" is somehow incorrect, or misunderstood by everyone but those such as you who are the only people to truly understand the issue. It sends a message to anyone listening, especially the youth, that a racial group such as blacks or Hispanics somehow have a free pass to hold contempt or express prejudice towards other groups of people. This is otherwise known as *gasp* being a racist. Thinking like this contributes to the growing hatred which people in this damn country have towards anyone who's "Not on their side."
This widespread discrimination has led a meaningful portion of the youth to develop extremist views and fall right into the arms of the alt right. If you're told everyday for your entire life how you're somehow less than for being born white, simply because of atrocities your ancestors may or may not have committed, or oftentimes for no reason at all. Then how likely do you think you'd be to fall under the spell of a movement like this? A group who's battle cry is white supremacy and excellency. Especially as an impressionable 16 - 22 year old. Everyone who berates white people because it's the cool thing to do, you're partially to blame for the rapid growth of these movements you hate.
There are a lot of white people in America who are racists. However lets just stop acting like they're the only ones. If you look down on someone just for being white, you're a racist. No matter how much you want a free pass to think and act however you like without being classified as those who you condemn, you're still a racist. It's 2017 assholes. It's time to stop making unfounded judgements of everyone around you based on their skin tone.