Quoted from Rarehero:It's in quotes because it's not a real thing. It's a thing white people rant about when they don't understand how racism is systemic/institutional & all the many layers of context behind it. It's something racists like to whip out with all their other what-about-isms and false equivalency "arguments".
I realize this is OT and I risk a moderation, but I think it’s important to point out that there are multiple levels to this experience - what we are seeing here, and what is systemic is not necessarily racism, but “prejudice”, a pre-determined opinion of a person or thing or concept based on a non-material reason. Not the same thing as racism. This distinction is important because insinuating that a person or policy is racist is not easily proveable , but prejudice is, because it only requires “I don’t like X...” and a nonsensical reason.
It’s not fair to call someone “RACIST!!!” and point a finger, and it’s also far too easy to take the wind out of that idea by just saying “I have [black/Asian/etc] friends”. It’s silly, but something that basic removes the intent. What is left is prejudice.