The power + predjudice = racism isn't my own invention- it is a, if not the standard academic definition. But my point is that the academic definition isn't intended to supercede the idea of racism as racial discrimination, but to explicate its subtler effects, and make clear some of its mechanisms. To quote one of the standard academic (sociological) definitions "Racist systems include, but cannot be reduced to, racial bigotry," -- simple racial bigotry remains racism, however, the academics are just pointing out that if race wasn't part of a system of power and privilege, then racial bigotry would make no sense. And racism might underly the system, but it isn't necessary that you enjoy power and privilege to be racist (blacks who hate jews and jews who hate blacks are both still racist).
And in any case, saying that someone benefits from racism, or is part of a racist society, isn't the same as saying that someone is racist. Its a misuse of the argument, IMO. Academic definitions, if nothing else, are about precision of meaning.
Being white in Australian You said 'all white people' not 'all Australian white people' for a start. The Irish in the UK are just one example of a group that has experienced comparable racism (Johhny Rottens autobiography, for example, was titled 'No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish' after the signs on boarding houses). I have had Irish friends tell me they never felt like part of the dominant racial group due to constant discrimination as children.
Another example is Ashkenazi jews.
Enjoying some privilege =/= racist. And being white isn't a guarantee of enjoying an immunity to racism.
even if you are a poor white Australian you still have advantages over a poor aboriginal Australian In general, yes, aboriginal Australia is in a shocking state. But 'not being in grinding poverty' isn't the same as 'racist'. If you are a poor Vietnamese Australian, chances are you are a lot better off as well.
And, FWIW, anecdotal evidence of abuse of any ethnic group proves nothing. I've heard plenty of racial abuse of white people too, and been the recipient of some for that matter. And it remains racism, even when addressed from the less privileged to the more.
no subject
But my point is that the academic definition isn't intended to supercede the idea of racism as racial discrimination, but to explicate its subtler effects, and make clear some of its mechanisms. To quote one of the standard academic (sociological) definitions "Racist systems include, but cannot be reduced to, racial bigotry," -- simple racial bigotry remains racism, however, the academics are just pointing out that if race wasn't part of a system of power and privilege, then racial bigotry would make no sense. And racism might underly the system, but it isn't necessary that you enjoy power and privilege to be racist (blacks who hate jews and jews who hate blacks are both still racist).
And in any case, saying that someone benefits from racism, or is part of a racist society, isn't the same as saying that someone is racist. Its a misuse of the argument, IMO. Academic definitions, if nothing else, are about precision of meaning.
Being white in Australian
You said 'all white people' not 'all Australian white people' for a start. The Irish in the UK are just one example of a group that has experienced comparable racism (Johhny Rottens autobiography, for example, was titled 'No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish' after the signs on boarding houses). I have had Irish friends tell me they never felt like part of the dominant racial group due to constant discrimination as children.
Another example is Ashkenazi jews.
Enjoying some privilege =/= racist. And being white isn't a guarantee of enjoying an immunity to racism.
even if you are a poor white Australian you still have advantages over a poor aboriginal Australian
In general, yes, aboriginal Australia is in a shocking state. But 'not being in grinding poverty' isn't the same as 'racist'. If you are a poor Vietnamese Australian, chances are you are a lot better off as well.
And, FWIW, anecdotal evidence of abuse of any ethnic group proves nothing. I've heard plenty of racial abuse of white people too, and been the recipient of some for that matter. And it remains racism, even when addressed from the less privileged to the more.