Watch: James Baldwin Explains The Difference Between Prejudice And Racism For White America


Racism is an incredibly volatile subject in the U.S., but not so much because of those speaking out who have lived under its boot heel since the country was torn from the bloody remains of its Indigenous peoples and “founded” so much as because many of those guilty of the oppression refuse to acknowledge their roles in the grave and numerous injustices racism presents even today.

Much of that refusal is rooted in blind white privilege and closes off many of our white brothers and sisters from meaningful dialogue. However, some who are blinded by white privilege remain open to dialogue yet fall victim to flared emotions early in the discussion. Part of the reason for that is a lack of understanding for the terms used in the discussion.

Not even many dictionaries out there have kept up with the changes in terms and meanings in the race discussion, still describing racism as one race feeling it is superior to another, which tends to lead folks toward discussing and reacting to the word “prejudice” much more than it leads to a discussion of racism as we have come to discuss it today, which is an acknowledgement of oppression against another race as coupled with the systemic power to oppress that race in virtually every aspect of its civil life.

Fortunately, James Baldwin is here, via YouTube, to help those very people out so they understand the terms being used in the dialogue when it comes to racism and hopefully are able to move beyond their knee-jerk reaction to feeling someone is calling them prejudiced when pointing out and talking about racism.

Take a listen to Baldwin back in 1968 on “The Dick Cavett Show,” below, as he describes the differences between knowing what individual white Americans may or may not think about Black folks and how the numerous systems in the U.S. treat and interact with Black America. Maybe then the distinctions between racism (or “systemic racism”) and individual prejudice will become more clear. Maybe then, when someone points out all white people are “racist” they will know that they are not being accused of prejudice, but only that they are complicit in and benefit from the systemic racism our institutions carry out on the regular.


Acknowledging that reality is the first step white America can take in rectifying systemic racism. Overcoming personal prejudice, however, is an entirely different matter and campaign. Though, removing the systemic racism built into our school systems would help that struggle take a great leap forward, as well.

Featured image via YouTube screen capture.