WARNING: CONTROVERSIAL MATTERS If you get offended easily, this may just not be your cup of tea. There is something I've seen a lot lately around social media and it bothers me quite a bit - arguments about racism. Racism has been around for years. It is a horrible part of our society, as well as many other societies throughout the world. It seems, though, that somewhere along the way, we lost the actual definitions, as well as the realities, that racism truly consists of. Let me start this out by stating a few definitions. Prejudice - a preconceived idea of a specific group of people with no factual or realistic evidence/basis that supports this idea Racism - the mistreatment of another person due to their race/ethnicity; the belief that an individual is superior due to his/her race/ethnicity Institutionalized racism - the systematic mistreatment of a group of people solely due to their race/ethnicity - This occurs when customs, laws and practices support the inequalities of this race. These systematic beliefs are oppressive, even if this was not the intended action. This type of racism is typically invisible to those who are not affected by it. We need to start to realize that there is an actual distinction between racism and institutionalized racism. In order to be targeted by racism, a race does not have to be oppressed. In order to be targeted by institutionalized racism, a race DOES have to be oppressed. These two terms sound similar, but they are different. Racism can refer to individuals themselves. Any person who has a general dislike for any race in particular would be considered racist. Many people say things such as "no, this is prejudice. Racism can only affect those that are oppressed." I'm truly sorry, but that is not true. It could be considered prejudice if in fact the preconceived idea has no factual basis or evidence. Reverse racism is not real. It is simply racism. If this is offensive, I apologize, sincerely. I am for equality through and through, but we must come to terms with the fact that everyone is human. Just because those of a certain race wronged you does not mean that every single person who belongs to that race should be looked down upon. Each person is their own person. The amount of melanin within someone's skin should not dictate your treatment of them, no matter who you are. Thank you.

Flamethrower lighter