Reverse Racism?

Some people say there is no such thing as reverse racism…and they are right. There is no such thing. There is just racism, period. This is a topic that I have been leery of approaching for quite some time, but seeing what our society is becoming is mind-boggling to me. It makes me sad. It hurts my heart. We have to do better.

First, let me preface this article with what spurned this topic (aside from the state of our society as a whole). I was trying to find something to watch in the middle of the night, and came across last season’s Big Brother All Stars. Being that I haven’t watched the previous seasons, I just started the All Stars at episode 1, and started watching through.

One of the contestants on there (when trying to decide who to evict) was young black woman. She was speaking to her friend, a young white woman, who was pleading her case to not be evicted. The other person on the chopping block was a young black male, and the first woman, while blatantly admitting that the young black male was not her friend, said in her video diary:

“Nicole Anthony is somebody in this house that I really, really like, however, I did make a promise to myself that I wasn’t going to vote out anyone who is in this house that looks like me.”
(source, source)

Meaning, she would never vote out a black contestant. I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. That statement bluntly says that she was targeting only contestants of other races. That my friends, is racism at it’s finest.

Here is the actual definition of racism.

1. a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
   also : behavior or attitudes that reflect and foster this belief : racial discrimination or prejudice

So, according to this definition, the first contestant was showing out and out racism. How is that ok? You can try to put it as “gently” as you want to, but it is simply *NOT* acceptable. You cannot have it both ways – either you want racism to truly be put to an end, or you don’t.

You cannot say, “It’s ok for me to give special treatment to someone of my own race, but nobody else can.” You are either helping to end racism, or you are perpetuating it. There is no in between.

I honestly don’t know what the solution is to this problem. So many people have spent so many years to end segregation, and now all I see are people of every ethnicity trying to set themselves apart from one another. Why? I genuinely do not understand.

Can’t we just treat one another as human beings, and not define someone by the color of their skin? Look at their character. Look at their hearts. If they treat you with kindness, treat them with kindness. If they show you respect, you show them respect. Live the golden rule.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Luke 6:31

I am grateful to say that I have friends and family of all races. I am proud of them, and I am thankful for them. I can honestly say, that there was never a time when I have thought, and certainly never said, “Oh, my Asian friend so & so…”, or “My black friend, so & so…”, or “My Hispanic grandbaby…” or “My Native American niece/nephew…” when referring to them. They are simply my friends. My family. Isn’t that how it is supposed to be?

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7

Written, truly, with love ~

(Photo by: Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash)