True
1976;
Score | 83
Felix Grace Student, Artist and Writer @ Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
In People and Society 3 min read
"Wait… Was That Racist?" – A Dive into Indirect Racism
<p><br/></p><p>You ever been hit with racism so polite, it said "excuse me" on the way in?</p><p><br/></p><p>Yeah… that's indirect racism.</p><p><br/></p><p>It’s the kind of discrimination that doesn’t wear a hood or throw slurs—it wears a smile, works in HR, and calls you “articulate” like it’s a miracle you know big words.</p><p><br/></p><p> What Is Indirect Racism?</p><p><br/></p><p>Indirect racism isn’t loud. It doesn’t shout; it whispers. It's the system that claims to be “colorblind” while still asking, “But where are you really from?”</p><p>It’s when someone locks their car doors as you walk by… but swears it’s “just a habit.”</p><p>It’s when your résumé gets ghosted—until you change your name from “Adewale” to “Alex.”</p><p><br/></p><p>Subtle. Sneaky. Sometimes even accidental.</p><p>But make no mistake—it’s still racism.</p><p> How People Practice It Without Knowing</p><p><br/></p><p>Let’s not lie: Most people don’t wake up and choose racism with their morning coffee.</p><p>But they do wake up with biases they've never questioned.</p><p><br/></p><p>Here’s how it happens:</p><p><br/></p><p>The Compliment That’s Not a Compliment</p><p>“You’re so well-spoken!”</p><p>Translation: I didn’t expect that from someone who looks like you.</p><p>Next time just say, “You explained that really well.” No hidden shock needed.</p><p><br/></p><p>The “Joke” That Wasn’t Funny</p><p>You know the ones.</p><p>“I’m not racist, I have Black friends!”</p><p>Cool, and I have houseplants—it doesn’t mean I understand photosynthesis.</p><p>Diversity... as Decoration</p><p>Hiring one person of color, slapping their picture on your company brochure, and calling it a day?</p><p>That’s not inclusion—that’s tokenism in HD.</p><p><br/></p><p>The Invisible Rules</p><p>Indirect racism shows up in the stuff we don’t say, the spaces we don’t create, and the standards we don’t question.</p><p>Like who gets to be angry without being called “aggressive.”</p><p>Or who gets to be average and still be considered a “leader.”</p><p> But Let’s Be Real… It Gets Awkward</p><p><br/></p><p>Ever tried calling someone out on it?</p><p><br/></p><p>Them: “Are you calling me racist??”</p><p>You: “I’m calling you out… not calling you a racist.”</p><p>Big difference. One is about who you are. The other is about what you did.</p><p>It’s like stepping on someone’s foot. You might not have meant it, but you still apologize. You don’t say, “Well I didn’t intend to crush your toe, so you’re overreacting.”</p><p> Final Thought</p><p><br/></p><p>Indirect racism isn’t about pointing fingers.</p><p>It’s about pointing mirrors.</p><p>Because it’s not always about bad people—it’s about bad habits and blind spots.</p><p><br/></p><p>So if you feel uncomfortable reading this, good. That’s not guilt. That’s growth tapping on your shoulder.</p><p><br/></p><p>And if someone tells you something you said or did was racially insensitive, don’t get defensive.</p><p>Just pause… reflect… and maybe say:</p><p><br/></p><p>“Wow. I didn’t realize. Thank you for telling me. I’ll do better.”</p><p><br/></p><p>Easy. No pitchforks. No cancel culture. Just human decency.</p><p>Let’s Unlearn Together.</p><p>Because racism doesn’t always roar.</p><p>Sometimes… it just whispers.</p><p>And it’s on us to listen carefully—and shut it down with love, clarity, and a little bit of humor.</p><p><br/></p><p><br/></p>
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