Racism typically refers to a system of oppression.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism\n\nUsually when an -ism is used, it is only meant to define the oppresor. For example, it is typical that sexism refers to men as the oppresor, since men have historically been the sexist, and women the victim of sexism. Of course we know, there are some seriously sexist women out there, and as women gain more and more power in society, sexist will refer more and more to women. This is because sexism, like racism, suggest that the person who is being described has power due to his sex or race and uses that power to oppress. Sexism typically means a man uses his sex to exert power over the other sex. Racism usually means a race of people use their race to exert power over other races. In this country, the race of people who has historically used their race as a source of power has been the white race. As blacks and other people gain more and more power, just like with women, you will see more of other races being called racist too. Meaning, people of other races are now using their race to have power over other races, including the white race. \n\nIn short, racism, sexism, and other -isms suggest that the perp is uses his race or sex or whatever as a source of POWER. One would be more accurate in calling blacks who can't use their race solely for gain, prejudice or race haters, which just basically means that they don't like or they hate people of another race but not that they use their race as a source of financial, political,academic, or social power in general.