Ep 46: The Real Definition of Racism (And Why Most People Still Get It Wrong)
Ep 46: The Real Definition of Racism (And Why Most People Still Get It Wrong)  
Podcast: Interrupting Business As Usual
Published On: Sun Oct 12 2025
Description: In the final part of this foundational 2-part series, Nikki Blak dismantles the confusion surrounding what racism actually is and replaces it with a definition that's clear, powerful, and impossible to ignore. Missed Part 1? Go listen to Episode 45: "How Racism Created Race." It lays the historical foundation for this conversation. Nikki explains why racism is not about intentions, slurs, or "being nice." Unless we're naming what it actually is, we're wasting everyone's time. In this episode, Nikki breaks down: Why state-sanctioned and extra-legal violence are both central to how racism works The myth of "reverse racism" and why impact—not feelings—matters How "racializing projects" operate (i.e., the ways that institutions and policies assign meaning to race) Real-world examples of structural racism messing with every sector (housing, law enforcement, healthcare) Why intent is a distraction, and what real intervention must look like How liberation work changes when we act from structural definitions rather than surface ones A 5-question "Is this racist?" checklist that dismantles confusion in real time This is not the "Racism 101" you're used to. This is a structural breakdown for people ready to confront how white dominance shapes policy, language, and the way we live — or die. Subscribe, share, and come back for what's next. This two-part series is the foundation of Nikki's anti-oppression work — and a resource you'll come back to again and again. Special thanks to Def Sound for providing the theme for Interrupting Everything.⁣⁣⁣⁣ Where do we go from here? To learn more about what you heard on the podcast today, visit nikkiblak.com. TAP HERE to work privately with Nikki TAP HERE to subscribe to the free weekly email series Resourcing a Revolution for more exclusive content Follow Nikki on IG: @nikkiblak