I disagree with restricting the definition of “x-ism” to “prejudice and power” because 1.) what is power, and how much is needed in order for it to count? A black teacher holds institutional power over a white student. 2.) it’s self-serving; Only *this* is x-ism because we’ve defined it to serve our interests. HOWEVER, I’d like to meet a white person who has experienced the kind of insidious racism that ethnic minorities experience or a man that faces the same sex-based challenges that women do.



Instead, I propose using the dichotomy of “x-ism” and “institutional x-ism”. “Cracker” is racist but it doesn’t reflect institutional racism like n****r does. Making misandric jokes is sexist but it doesn’t reflect institutional sexism like making demeaning jokes about women does. Etc. I believe that that dichotomy is not only more ideologically and logically consistent but also more informative and less strawman-able for the whiny white dudebros.