We're All a Little Bit ~Racist~ (WARNING: Satire ahead)

We certainly don't like to hear that. Or read it. Or believe it. But come on, we all (I'm speaking to white people, of European descent) grew up with our own prejudices. Even if you were born in the most progressive, open, accepting, loving household - bravo to those who raised you if you did - you still became aware of the stereotypes that were and are promoted by the society that you live in.

It's not a fun realization, becoming aware of the fact that you are a racist. Some of us just can't ~quite~ get there. And hey! That's okay. You will! Awareness is the first step towards that progressive ideal we all hope to achieve.

I've broken it down into a easy-to-use checklist to help you determine whether or not you are a racist.

Ready? Let's get racist!

•  At any point during the day, do you see someone of another race and have any negative thoughts whatsoever pop into your head? 
• What about any particular stereotypes? 
• Cartoon characters?
• At any point during the day, do you see someone of another race and clutch your purse/bag tighter?
• Do you resist the urge to roll your eyes when you hear the phrase "Black Lives Matter?"
• Do you not resist the urge to roll your eyes?
• Do you walk into a room filled with non-white people and wonder "why are there so many of them here?"
• Are you at all surprised when a person of colour speaks with a perfectly fluent English accent?
• Do you ask them why?
• Do you complain about the BET awards?
• But then see nothing wrong with the Oscars?
• Do you believe "All Lives Matter" is an appropriate rebuttal to "Black Lives Matter"?
• Do you believe there's a need for a rebuttal?
• Do you agree that America should register all Muslims going into the country?
• Do you think minorities need to "just move on" from (pick one): slavery/colonization/holocaust/genocide/generations of forced submission?
• Do you believe in reverse racism?
• Bonus Question!
• Who (besides America, of course) is going to pay for Trump's wall on the America-Mexico border?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, or answered the bonus question, you are a racist!

That's alright - see, we're all a little bit racist. It comes with the price of being the majority. It's a tough thing to kick, but if we all work hard enough, we can change these subtle, nagging prejudices that we all grew up with and become progressive human beings. First step to resolving an issue is to become aware of the issue. 

Step outside of (what I like to call) the White Bubble and see what minorities see. Feel what they feel. Recognize that the things we may find unnerving (Black twitter, protests, someone wearing a hijab) minorities may see as part of their daily lives. And the things we find natural (white men playing Egyptian gods in Hollywood, colonization, and the perpetuated submission of people of colour) minorities find dangerous and life-threatening. 

So, decided you don't want to be considered a racist?

Here is the full list of steps to help you out!

- Recognize you are the majority.

- Recognize that you do have privilege.

- Recognize that white is a colour, too, and shouldn't be considered the "norm,"

- Recognize that the "Far East," "Middle East," and "West" depend on where you stand.

- Be open to dialogue outside of what you're used to.

Congratulations! You're on your way to not being a racist. Be sure to help out your friend if you believe they might be a borderline racist. It's a curable disease, but only if recognized quickly and confronted before centuries of propagated oppression and violence set in.

Best of luck! :)