The most common misperception that the race man will encounter is over the notion of power with respect to racism.
The freshman race man generally speaks in terms of holocausts and cab drivers. They find racist power at work only in the most unsubtle manners.
All too often, the average American considers their own racist beliefs to be insignificant because they are not empowered to effect action, or because they choose not to act on these beliefs. As we have said before in the discussion of bigots, that inaction does not alter the racist content of these beliefs. It only shows the bigot also to be a coward and a potential goat.
That said, the effects of racist thought, which is always morally wrong, vary between individuals and groups based upon their power and influence in society.
Most people who say that blacks can't be racist mean to say that blacks cannot and do not exert a system of control against white people. Blacks can't get whitefolks tracked into inferior schools, for example. Blacks can't deny whitefolks access to capital, blacks cannot create a police department policy that cracks down on whites.
However, let us be clear. The reason that there is a such phrase as institutional racism is to underscore that type of power. That doesn't change the meaning of racism itself. Racism has to do with the way you think about race. Secondarily, racism is not simply a black & white thing in the American context. It has to do with the concept of race and one's regard for one's own and others'. In America, we rightly talk about white supremacy, which is the dominant form of racism in this country. That doesn't mean that black supremacy doesn't exist. It doesn't mean that black separatists aren't racist. It doesn't mean that ordinary blackfolks can't or don't subscribe to some form of racism.
Let us also not quibble about degrees of racism. You cannot be 'somewhat' racist or 'sorta' racist or 'not quite as' racist as someone else. Either you are, or you are not. Period. It's like belief in god. Either you believe god exists or you don't. It doesn't matter how much you do or don't go to church. Racism, like belief in god is binary. (although it's true that somepeople can't, or refuse to make up their minds.) There is certainly a matter of degree about the consequences of your racist beliefs. You might never act on them. But that doesn't change the basic fact of your racism.
Racism is an error. It can be a moral error, or it can be a cognitive error. People might believe racist things for [il]logical reasons or for [im]moral reasons. Whatever the reason, it doesn't change the fundamental error of racism.
However it is the matter of power and responsibility that makes the greatest difference in the consequences of that error. Someone who says that 2+2=5 is making a mathematical error. If that error takes place on a first grade pop quiz, the consequences are trivial. If that person is the quality engineer for the o-rings on the space shuttle, the consequences are deadly. If that person is the engineer for the valves on the poison gas lines in bhopal india, the consequences are catastrophic. But the error is the same.
The fact that someone is racist may or may not be consequential. Everyone has the same reasons to correct the errors of racism. But depending on who that person is, the correction can be not worth the time of day or that correction can be life-saving.
So let me say three things in conclusion:
#1. There is absolutely no question that there are blackfolks who are racist, and if given the opportunity and power, would subject white people to the most profound humiliation, degradation and suffering. In a heartbeat. But they don't have the power, so you might as well ignore them and save yourself a headache.
#2. There is absolutely no question that there are whitefolks who are racist, and if given the opportunity and power, would subject black people to the most profound humiliation, degradation and suffering. In a heartbeat. But they don't have the power, so you might as well ignore them and save yourself a headache.
#3. Look at whom, in this country, has suffered the most humiliation, degradation and suffering at the hands of racists. Do something about it.