In one sense, “systemic racism” makes as much sense as ‘green trees’. If its leaves are green we’ll see the tree as green. Likewise, if individuals are racist so will the social ‘system’ seem racist.

But are most people racist? If racist means hating people of a different race, there may be very few. But if it means involuntarily creating stereotypes in the mind based on appearance and conduct – as in judging a book by its cover – then you’d have to say everyone is.

But this can’t be racism. Although it gets a bad rap, stereotyping is a sign of what makes us human. While other animals depend on their physical attributes for survival, humans depend on their minds. No other animal stereotypes because no other animal has intellect.

Our mind is able to abstract certain traits and qualities from what our senses detect and categorizes objects into certain groups. This is how we know giraffes from elephants, oak trees from palm trees, etc. It’s also how we understand concepts like justice, love, truth, and race. It is natural for the human mind to distinguish and categorize.

Having said that, the same intellect that categorizes and stereotypes also knows it doesn’t apply to all individuals of the stereotype. Therefore, the question isn’t on whether we stereotype, but rather how we choose to act on it. Reason and prudence come into play here, which, too, are uniquely human. In a potentially dangerous situation, following one’s stereotypes can keep you safe – and proper self-love is good. On the other hand, to use stereotypes to disparage someone or unjustly discriminate, is immoral.

We all know this. We just live in an obsessively PC times that lead many to ignore their gift of human reason. That leaves passion and emotional reaction, which we share with other animals. Funny thing is, in order to call people racist you have to stereotype, which, according to many, is the basis for racism.  It’s time to think and reconsider this whole racism thing – with our minds. To put it another way, we need more systemic reasoning.