Webster's online dictionary defines racism as: "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race." A quick search on Google captures the essence of racism as: "prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior." Finally, Wikipedia cites more than 200 sources to define racism in every context from legal to scientific. Still these definitions are incomplete and do not reflect how dynamics of power and authority shape the social, political, and economic lives people of color not only in the US, but also globally.

To ignore how systemic racism disproportionately impacts people of color or to disregard how people of color cannot be racist against white people is to participate in the overwhelming anti-Blackness used to aid in the project of white supremacy. White supremacist groups have already used the online definition of racism and examples of prejudice or discrimination against white people to justify their racist and often times political, often violent counteractions.

My intention is to remind that racism is literally written into our textbooks, dictionaries, and constitution. We can do only so little to rewrite our nation's constitution, but here, via this online medium may we have the opportunity to amend how people of color are defined in this country. People of color who have contributed their time and intelligence to the #BlackLivesMatter campaign should be allowed the possibility to write a much more comprehensive definition of the word, "racism". The result of this action would allow priority to people of color, domestic and abroad. This action would impact our language for years to come and from this change justice will follow.

To change a definition is no small act. It will mean contacting these varied interests and asking for their solidarity. Movements to change our language is how Blacks in this country transitioned from being abject property to people. Help me and many others make this change happen, today! Please sign this petition and propose in the comments a more informed and true definition for racism.