Reverse Regression

Since the dawn of independence and/or democracy, (maybe even before that) the notion that 'reverse racism' does not exist has been strongly accepted by a large majority of Africans. I definitely agree with this but not for the same reasons.

Reverse racism is academically defined as intolerance or prejudice directed at members of historically dominant racial groups. In our African context, this is racism against white people. A good portion of society believe that this does not exist because it is not possible for people of colour to be racist. "I'm not racist, I'm a black person. Racism doesn't apply to us!" is the argument given most of the time. Some people feel entitled to victimization every time an issue is made racist by using colonialism and apartheid as some sort of leverage. This then creates the idea that people of colour are allowed to behave in prejudicial and discriminatory manners towards white people. The weird thing about this is that I've seen this tendency in people that hardly or never experienced apartheid (colonialism). It's then rational to assume that these tendencies are inherent and that's where the problem starts. Parents and grandparents indoctrinate their children into believing that it's okay to hate and treat Caucasians (or any other race) horribly because of what they experienced- fair enough. However, it's not their fight because they were never involved and they are only indirectly affected. Not that I'm overlooking the severity of the indirect effects but all I see are a bunch of conservatives not willing to accept the inevitability of change because Mother said so.

I, for one, also strongly believe reverse racism does not exist.

First off, can't call it reverse racism because that's paradoxical. That would literally mean being in support of another racial group.

Secondly, racism is racism. Since when does race have a classification system? Adding the word "reverse" to racism is racist in itself because that implies that only historically dominant racial groups aka white people are racist. That is associating certain behaviors with a certain racial group which is synonymous with directing prejudice at a certain racial group. It's racist. It's like people of colour or previously disadvantaged racial groups have now been given the privilege of being racist by adding a word in front of the action. Let's not sugar coat racism because anyone can be racist.

Then there's a counter argument by a number of white people that affirmative action is reverse racism. Most of them argue that the scheme is trying to "right discrimination with discrimination." We shouldn't get it twisted. Although to little effect, the affirmative action scheme was put in place to level the social and economic playing field. Thing is, colonialism and apartheid created a long concrete lineage of wealth for Caucasian people by tweaking the system to their advantage. That can now, in this day and age, not be reversed because it would take a global "reset button" to do the job effectively. The problem with the scheme is that people of colour somehow always end up absorbing greed whenever they are empowered with resources. Corruption is born and most black, coloured and white people suffer.

Thing is, racism is racism. Black people can be racist, so can Asians and Caucasians. Let us reverse the regression society is falling into. All these unnecessary terms and toe tipping around things because the world talks Politically Correct now will brainwash you and make you lose your natural societal balance which is, ultimately, the true essence of cohesion.