RACISM

Racism is More About Power Than it Is About Hatred. Here’s Why

Racism is about maintaining power and privilege

Woman with hand covering her eyes | Photo by Megan Ruth via Pexels

Far too many people have their wires crossed when it comes to racism. They mistakenly believe that racism is simply an expression of hatred for a racial minority, instead of what it really is, a worldview that maintains power and privilege in the hands of White people. Why does this matter? Because people who believe racism is simply a byproduct of hatred, may conclude that “love” is the solution, that if only we loved one another, racism would melt away like frost in early spring.

We see this in the way interracial relationships are championed as an effort to bridge the racial divide. Some presume, for instance, that an interracial romantic relationship “will normalize interracial contact” and “undermine the racism of extended family members who encounter the couples.” However, research doesn’t support this assertion. Indeed, even White people in romantic relationships with Black people can express racist beliefs. If hatred was the underlying sentiment of racism, then surely love would be a potent remedy, but it’s not.

Even if every White person decided tomorrow to love Black people, racism would still exist. Why? Because racism is inseparable from the concept of power. It’s raw power that enabled White Americans to enslave Black people, and legitimize the system through the creation of laws. Dehumanization is a function of racism, that aims to justify the mistreatment of an outgroup. For instance, White people who engaged in behaviors, such as kidnapping African people, exploiting their labor, sexually abusing, and torturing them refused to acknowledge their humanity. The use of racial stereotypes such as Sambo, the Mammy, and Jezebelle sought to justify the cruelty Black people endure, while also attempting to normalize the status of White people.

A racist worldview perpetuates inequality

Take President Lincoln’s, racist views as an example. “There is a physical difference between white and black races which will ever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality,” the sixteenth President claimed in 1858, responding to Fredrick Douglas, a…