Reverse racism doesn't exist, because it's just racism, no matter who is doing it or who is the victim.

I guess I’m going to have to expand on my “reverse real“ post because I keep getting this same message over and over again.

First, I would like to tell you a story. I have severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Many of you know this. It affects me every second of my life. The discomfort and misery I feel is always with me, no matter how hard I try to ignore it. Unless you have this condition, it would be impossible to understand the levels of fatigue I can feel.

One time I was talking to a person and they were asking me about CFS. I tried my best to describe what it’s like and the challenges it posed in my life. To which they responded…

"Yeah, I get really tired sometimes. I know how you feel.”

No. You. Don’t.

Not even close. I had to do everything in my power to keep from screaming.

Reverse racism and “racism towards whites” is an attempt for privileged people to say, “Yeah, we’re victims too. We know how you feel.”

No. You. Don’t.

You are trying to equate that one time a person of color made you feel bad with hundreds of years of systematic oppression? Really?

“But the dictionary defines racism as…” PLEASE STOP YOUR BRAIN RIGHT THERE.

Some dictionaries define something else as a bundle of sticks. Let’s not use the dictionary for this discussion.

The truth is, you are looking up the wrong definition. You need to be looking up oppression. In our society, it is systematic, meaning racism happens from the very tippie top of our government, to local government, to our police force, to our schools, to our neighborhoods. And if you look at all of the people in charge of these things, the majority of them seem to have rather pale complexions.

When a person of color gets angry, upset, or harsh towards white folks, it isn’t about the white race or culture. It is about our privilege. It is about how many of us take it for granted. How we refuse to acknowledge it. How when we get our feelings hurt, we say we are victims, just like them. That it’s the same for us.

I’ve been white for quite a long time. I can say for a fact that I’ve never had to worry about not being represented in the media. I don’t have to worry about not being considered for a job because my name seems too “ethnic.” Something I have personally heard an old boss of mine say, as he rejected a resume. I’ve been pulled over a few times by the police and not once have I been afraid. I can go to the store, buy skittles, and walk home without getting shot.

Sure, I don’t care for prejudice of any kind. But it’s really hard to blame people of color for being angry. For lashing out. It can certainly be taken too far… but please don’t call that racism. Don’t equate your hurt feelings with this systematic oppression.

You DON’T know how they feel.