Usage notes

* Different people define race'' differently, so, naturally, different people define ''racism differently. * Racism is generally accepted as wrong in English-speaking societies, and the word racism carries strong negative connotations. Therefore, those opposing a certain practice might characterize it as "racist" in order to try to take advantage of those connotations, and conversely, those defending a certain practice might try to mitigate it by claiming that it is not racist. * While racism'' is, per se, usually tied to ''race , some speakers will (controversially) use the term in other cases as well: ** 2002, Tom Carter-Smith, Sex – an Apology for Love , NORDISC Music & Text, ISBN 87-88619-09-5, page 99, **: The reason for this was the general prejudice (read: racism ) against gays among “straight” people; the government simply didn't want the public to be appalled by posters and TV adds with “queers”. * The term reverse racism'' has been used to describe racism (in one sense or another) by a group that has traditionally been oppressed, against a traditionally more-empowered group. However, some argue that this distinction does not need to be made, and advocate using simply the term ''racism''; others have argued conversely that the term ''racism should not be used at all in such cases. * For many speakers, the term racism implies conscious belief or behavior, but this distinction is not universally held.