A Georgia woman says people are too quick to “throw around the word racism” for everything. Even if the situation isn’t racist, people will use the word toward someone who didn’t react how they wanted. Her TikTok video has over 165,000 views and over 29,000 likes.
The Georgia woman begins by describing three girls. In Scenario 1, two are white, and one is black. The latter makes an unfunny joke, and the other two don’t laugh. In this situation, she claims, “people would call that racism.” In Scenario 2, three Black girls are present, and the same situation occurs with a joke that isn’t funny. However, she claims people wouldn’t find this racist. She argues that people need to stop using ‘racism’ by just “throw[ing] it out like anything towards a black person,” even if it’s not negative. The woman clarifies she means that in situations that just aren’t sitting right, people go, “Boom, racism.”
The Georgia woman states, “We should not be calling people racist if they’re not actually racist.” Furthermore, she argues that calling someone a racist is a big deal. So by “throwing out that word” for every uncomfortable interaction or disagreement, the seriousness of “REAL racism” is getting lost. She believes it should only be used if someone is showing racist characteristics. When those aren’t present, the woman feels using the word is horrible. She states, “It drives me crazy.” Additionally, she argues that racism is “a serious accusation that should be based on actual racist words, beliefs, or actions.”
Georgia Reacts
Several comments argue that throwing out ‘racism’ for everything is actually desensitizing the word. One commenter argues, “Words become meaningless when overused.” Meanwhile, others agree that this is causing more harm than good. One commenter believes that “thanks to people like that, when actual racism is called out, people don’t take it seriously.” Another adds, “It’s so disrespectful to the people who have had actual racist comments made to them!!“
Several commenters also agree with the Georgia woman that the word is being used too much. One person says, “I feel like people bring up racism for EVERYTHING and ANYTHING.” Another commenter claims, “Got called racist at my school for not giving someone my pen.” One commenter believes that it’s making it harder on those who do experience racism. They say, “It’s like the boy who cried wolf; overusing the word racist or racism is going to make people take you less seriously when you call someone out for something that is actually racist.”
The Georgia woman often posts videos covering racism, politics, and her daily life.
