If I had a dollar for every time I felt the weight of walking on linguistic eggshells—I’d have enough to start a nonprofit and be perplexed enough to call it “The Moral Dilemma Fund.” (And to my friends reading this, who’ve witnessed my slip-ups firsthand, I hope you don’t decide to call me out now.) Jokes aside, navigating conversations in America has been an eye-opener. I’ve realized it’s not just me—everyone here seems to be tiptoeing around words, trying not to come off as wrong. Some have mastered the art of saying nothing controversial, while others avoid these conversations entirely. And that’s where the real problem begins.
Through my public health degree, I’ve come to see how often the language we use serves as a band-aid, masking the deeper, systemic issues of racism. I’ve tried discussing these problems, but I’ve often found myself caught in the tricky intersection of speaking honestly and not being misunderstood. This led me to think more critically about how we approach these topics. One thing is clear: we’re getting it wrong.
Conversations with my immigrant friends revealed a shared experience. Many of us come from cultures where our history books don’t shy away from discussing oppression, but in America, these narratives often feel sugar-coated. What we’ve realized is that while the words may sound softer, the brutality of these issues remains just as harsh. This post is my attempt to unpack how we understand (or misunderstand) racism today.
So here’s the thing:
“Racism isn’t about awkward phrasing; it’s about real harm that runs far deeper than words.”
Take corporations, for example. They’re obsessed with getting inclusivity just right—perfecting their buzzwords and policies. But the numbers tell a different story. According to Harvard Business Review, white employees are 60% more likely to be promoted into management roles than people of color. Words might sound polished, but the reality is still deeply flawed.
Before I go any further, let me be clear: I’m not here to attack my white friends. I’m sorry your ancestors made choices that you’re now left cleaning up—but I hope you see how those privileges shaped your opportunities while some of us are still fighting just to prove ourselves. This blog isn’t about blame; it’s about removing these misunderstandings and starting real conversations.
Racism: Subtle Opressions and Word Games
When systems elevate certain voices, the rest of the world gets spoken at instead of heard.
From "Master" to Language Police
So let me get this straight: the systems that invented racism to justify slavery spent centuries perfecting it, and now they’re out here lecturing everyone else on how to talk about it? The irony is staggering. They built the system of oppression, and now they’re handing out tickets for not following the “right language.” It’s like an arsonist coming back to critique the fire escape plan.
Take this: people of color often face harsher consequences for their words while the systems of harm remain untouched.
Remember the case of Black teenager Jamal Knox, who was sentenced to jail for lyrics in his rap song that authorities deemed threatening? Meanwhile, there are public figures, overwhelmingly white, who’ve said far worse, and yet they continue to enjoy wealth, freedom, and influence without consequence.
Here’s the irony: a system that claims to police words for “safety” is the same one that disproportionately punishes people of color while letting systemic injustice thrive.
Language policing doesn’t solve systemic oppression.
It’s easier to focus on what’s said than address the roots of inequity. Companies may roll out guidelines for “inclusive language,” but those efforts ring hollow when the deeper issues—like unequal access to power, opportunities, and resources—are ignored.
Words matter, sure. But until the systems are dismantled, what’s really being accomplished?
Because actions speak louder than sanitized sentences.
When the Words Are Right, But the Meaning Is Still Wrong
While the U.S. has successfully learned how to remand those who use the wrong words (mostly), they often forget the little important things. People have become so particular about using the right words that they’ll wrap the same racist assumptions in prettier packaging. It’s lowkey racism—served with a polite smile and a carefully curated vocabulary. And trust me, it still stings.
Here are a few gems from my personal experience:
Oh, you have a stereotypical 'masculine-looking’ man type. Is that because patriarchy is so embedded in your culture that you don’t even see it?
Nope, it’s because I like someone who can carry groceries, fix things without charging me, and handle small talk at parties when I’ve hit my social limit. Patriarchy or practical preferences? You tell me.
(The classic one)
“Why does your house smell like... mmm... curry?”
Would you prefer it smelled like kale smoothies and disappointment? I’ll stick with curry, thanks.
"Are you allowed to wear these (usually short) clothes in your country?"
I don’t even have a snappy comeback for this one—it’s too personal. Next question.
“Do they teach you all school subjects in English?”
Yes, and two other languages too. Beat that!
"Everybody in India has to get an arranged marriage, right?”
No, but if I had to choose between my parents and Tinder... let’s just say, Mom knows best.
Racism and Caste: Same Game, Different Rules
Have you ever heard of the infamous caste system? If you have, yes—I come from that country. It’s been India’s global calling card for a while now, though I’m hardly in a position to spend two years in America and start handing out advice. But here’s what struck me: despite America’s education, wealth, and obsession with freedom and equality, it has its own systemic inequality—racism.
Caste in India and racism in the U.S. aren’t identical, but they share the same playbook: institutions, economic policies, and societal norms that lock people into disadvantage. And yet, while the world loves to dissect caste in India, it often overlooks how racism in America plays out in eerily similar ways. Neither is about personal prejudice alone—it’s about systems that decide who gets access to dignity, resources, and opportunities.
My Main Point: It's time to do better!
(And not feel awkward about it)
Let’s cut to the chase: it’s 2024, and we should all know better. With my background in public health, I feel equipped to share a few insights—things that will not only save you from embarrassing yourself but also help you recognize and intervene in discrimination. Because let’s be real: it’s not just the polite thing to do; it’s the right thing to do.
Discrimination isn’t just about awkward words or misguided comments. It’s about systems—deep, entrenched, and powerful—that decide who gets what in life. These systems have been running the show for centuries, causing measurable harm across healthcare, housing, education, employment, and justice.
So, to my privileged friends: since these systems historically gave you the louder microphones, now’s the time to use them for good. And to everyone else: this isn’t just about calling out bad behavior—it’s about calling in allies to dismantle the structures that perpetuate inequality.
Here’s where discrimination has done the most damage and where we can start doing better:
Healthcare
From medical bias to unequal access to care, discrimination ensures that people of color experience worse outcomes. For example, black women are three times more likely to die during childbirth in the U.S. than white women. This isn’t about “bad doctors”—it’s systemic neglect.
Housing
Redlining may be illegal now, but its legacy lives on. Communities of color still face higher barriers to homeownership, while predominantly white neighborhoods enjoy better schools, resources, and opportunities.
Education
Underfunded schools, overcrowded classrooms, and outdated textbooks in marginalized communities set children up to fail before they even get a fair shot.
Employment
Resumes with “ethnic-sounding” names still get fewer callbacks. The wage gap between white workers and workers of color isn’t shrinking fast enough. Hiring discrimination? Alive and well.
Law Enforcement and Justice
The criminal justice system disproportionately targets people of color, from overpolicing neighborhoods to harsher sentences for the same crimes. It’s a system designed to perpetuate inequality.
The Jar of "Change"
If I were actually getting dollars for every time someone tossed around the word 'racist,' I’d start filling a 'Change' jar. Not with loose change, but with real, systemic change—the kind that builds bridges, dismantles barriers, and turns misunderstandings into meaningful conversations.
So here’s my challenge: Let’s all contribute to this imaginary jar—not with dollars, but with accountability, empathy, and the courage to confront systems instead of just polishing our language. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress, one honest conversation at a time. Because what’s the point of change if it doesn’t start with us?
Racism runs deeper than the dictionary
Before we can talk about where we are today, let’s look at how we got here. The history of racism didn’t just ‘happen’—it was carefully constructed.
Because of humankind's tendency to cling to tradition and reinforce systems of dominance, history continues to shape the present.