Opposing view: Reverse Racism is not possible

Last week, The Signal ran an article in which staff writer Brittany Spornhauer argued that the existence of organizations like the National Council of Negro Women and the African Students Association was "reverse racism." Spornhauer defined reverse racism as "a term that describes the outcome of a group of people that try to protect a minority group so aggressively that it actually leads to hypocrisy."

To say I was offended was an understatement. As a Black woman and member of the National Association of Black Journalists, I was deeply disappointed. To assume NCNW, NABJ or any other organizations dedicated to uplifting an ethnic minority were created to exclude and discriminate against other people is an incorrect assumption. In reality, these organizations want to do the opposite.

Although NABJ is the largest organization of Black journalists in this country, we have members of all colors. The only thing NABJ asks of its members is to be involved and dedicated to its mission. Same can be said of NCNW, NAACP, the fraternities and sororities of the NPHC, historically Black colleges and scores of other organizations.

Spornhauer wrote, "my issue lies within these posters, organizations and overall societal behaviors that are acceptable for a minority group but not acceptable for a group that is the majority." Those same organizations and behaviors were created because the majority has access to score of other resources that minorities do not. There is not a white history month because white people are able to walk into just about any history class and hear their heritage taught in detail. Their history is not relegated to a paragraph in one chapter in the corner of a book.

Many of these organizations were founded to combat the racism that runs rampant in this country. Despite what many people believe, we do not live in post-racial society. Minorities still face discrimination in the job force, education, criminal justice system in a variety of other place. I wonder if Spornhauer knew that a White man with a criminal record can get a job quicker than a Black man with a college degree and a clean record.

Also, there is no such thing as reverse racism. It is not possible for an ethnic minority to be racist. I could run through Library Plaza yelling "I hate white people!" and still would not be considered racist. Prejudice, yes, but not racist. My people do not have the power or resources to oppress white people or any other group of people. Racism is not just a mindset. It is an institution put in place to keep one group of people on top and one on the bottom. 

I did not write this piece to insult my fellow staff writer's character. I felt compelled to write this article to educate her and anyone else with the same mindset. Spornhauer stated that "reverse racism" is a term that she recently learned. I have another term for her to look up: white privilege.