by Dallas Spires

Created on: October 08, 2009   Last Updated: October 09, 2009

I will never understand why racism against white people is treated like a shocking revelation. Maybe it comes from the "politically correct" idea that racism exists only in the majority; that is, only the majority - the rule-makers and law-makers by default - can practice racism. After all, that is the accepted definition of racial discrimination: giving favor to one race over another. However, racism is also defined more broadly as "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race" (Merriam-Webster Online). I was taught a simpler definition as a child - that racism is a form of prejudice based on race.

Every time a black comedian makes a crack about the way white people act, that's racism. The comedian is judging the entire race by the stereotypical actions or beliefs of a few. It doesn't get much more fundamental than that. Most of us forgive such racism because - let's be honest - who doesn't like a good racist joke? You have to be able to laugh at yourself every once in a while, and most of the stereotypes presented by comedians are ridiculous and humorous, and are presented in good fun. When mean-spirited comments are made based on stereotypes - we're all bigots, or we all hate blacks, for example - it upsets us, and rightfully so. Many of us know the difference between making a joke and just flat-out being mean.

The comedic example is very generic and simple. In my hometown, racism against whites is taking a different, more familiar form. One of the grievances voiced by minority groups for decades has been how they were treated by the service industry. My hometown has a very large African-American population, so it stands to reason that many places you go, customer service is delivered by African-American employees. Unfortunately, more often than not, African-American customers get the best customer service around here. White customers - whether you're at Wal-Mart, the doctor's office, a fast food restaurant, or the water authority - get ignored or get treated with a hostile attitude. It's aggravating in the situation, but it's actually a little funny when you put it in perspective. We're being treated the way "they" say they were treated when the tables were flipped, when white people had those jobs.

I must say that in my hometown, racism against whites isn't the whole of our race problem. There is enough animosity here for everyone. If you have to call the police, you better hope the responding officer looks like you. Black officers treat whites like criminals, or like they're wasting time. White officers treat blacks the same way.

Many people will have you believe that minority groups cannot practice racial discrimination. That's just ludicrous. It's an excuse to behave in a racial manner and hope to get away with it. Every race is subject to discrimination from another.

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