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The Merriam-Webster dictionary recently revised its definition of racism to reflect the reality that racism is not just about prejudice or discrimination from one person to another, but also about how larger systems and institutions in society work over time to reinforce the superiority of one race over another. This revision comes after Kennedy Mitchum, a recent college graduate, emailed the editors of Merriam-Webster to express her frustration with its current definition.
Mitchum's email highlighted how systemic racism has been embedded in American society for centuries through practices like redlining and stop-and-frisk that systematically disenfranchise black people and criminalize them on the basis of race. The new definition will attempt to show how white people benefit from racism since systemic oppression is ingrained in the fabric of American society.
By revising its definition of racism, Merriam-Webster hopes to better reflect modern discourse which acknowledges that larger systems and institutions at play in society — whether in education, policing, health care, or the economy — work over time to reinforce the superiority of one race over another.
The new definition of racism has significant legal implications, as it will allow for a more expansive interpretation of discrimination in the legal arena. This could open up the door to new possibilities in civil rights litigation, as it would enable individuals to challenge unequal treatment based on race that is occurring within systemic and structural systems. Additionally, this new definition can also further inform policy-making at all levels of government and help ensure that racial justice initiatives are grounded in a comprehensive understanding of racism. The broader understanding of racism may enable people to recognize how certain policies, practices and regulations perpetuate inequality and perpetuate racial disparities
The Convention to Eliminate Racial Discrimination (CERD) is a significant international agreement that seeks to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. The new Merriam-Webster definition of racism provides an expanded understanding of systemic racism, which is crucial for the implementation and success of CERD. This broader definition emphasizes how racism operates on many levels in society, from policies and regulations to practices and institutional norms.
By recognizing the systemic elements of racism, this new definition can help inform governments' implementation efforts when it comes to tackling and eliminating racial discrimination in their countries. Furthermore, with this new understanding of racism, governments may be able to recognize how certain policies, practices and regulations perpetuate inequality and perpetuate racial disparities. Through greater awareness about the systemic nature of racism, governments will be better equipped to fulfill their obligations under CERD and take effective measures to eliminate racial discrimination from all parts of society.
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