Let’s Stop Using the Term “Racist” and Start Saying “Anti-Black”

I’ve been on a run this week, and maybe it’s the sunlight, the ability to walk without a jacket, or just the feeling of movement, but I’ve been deep in thought. One thought that’s been sitting with me is how we talk about oppression. Specifically, how we use the term “racist” when we should be saying “anti-Black.”

The Power of Precision in Language

This idea first hit me while watching a video by an Arab woman discussing Zionism. Before she even began, she made it clear that she was being careful with her words because she didn’t want to be labeled “anti-Semitic.” That caught my attention.

Why? Because “anti-Semitic” is a precise term. It specifically refers to discrimination against Jewish people. It doesn’t leave room for debate about whether someone is just “generally prejudiced” or if they have “friends from different backgrounds.” It zeroes in on a particular issue.

Compare that to the word “racist.” It’s broad. It can apply to many different forms of discrimination, making it easy for people to deflect, deny, and dodge accountability.

So why are we still using it?

Why “Anti-Black” is More Effective

We need to take our focus off of the vague idea of “racism” and start calling things what they really are: anti-Blackness.

Here’s why:

1. It eliminates the loopholes.

   • When you say “racist,” someone can argue, “I’m not racist! Look at my diverse friend group! Look at my company’s hiring practices!”
   • But when you say “anti-Black,” the conversation changes. Now we’re talking about policies, behaviors, and actions that specifically harm Black people. You can point to housing policies, hiring discrimination, policing disparities, media representation, and systemic injustices that target Blackness.

2. It keeps the focus on the issue.

   • When we say “racist,” people shift the discussion toward other marginalized groups, diluting the focus on Black people.
   • “Anti-Black” centers the conversation on how Black people are treated without making room for distractions.

3. It calls out internalized oppression.

   • One of the biggest benefits of using “anti-Black” is that it allows us to talk about Black people who are complicit in harming Black people.
   • A Black person might not be able to be “racist” in the traditional sense, but they can be anti-Black. We’ve seen it in politics, entertainment, and even within our own communities—people who uphold anti-Black narratives, policies, and behaviors to maintain proximity to power.

4. It stops outsiders from hijacking our struggle.

   • Our fight is constantly being co-opted. The minute we gain momentum, other groups insert themselves, making Black struggles secondary to a broader, more “inclusive” cause.
   • “Anti-Black” prevents others from stepping into our lane and redirecting the conversation.

Shifting the Narrative

Language is a tool of power. It frames how people think, react, and understand issues. When we use the term “racist,” we allow people to water down the severity of anti-Blackness, making it harder to prove and fight against.

But when we say “anti-Black,” we bring clarity. We bring focus. We eliminate the gray areas and force people to acknowledge the very real ways Black people are specifically targeted and harmed.

So, from now on, I challenge you to make the shift. Instead of calling someone or something “racist,” ask yourself—is it anti-Black? If so, call it that. Be precise. Be direct. Be unapologetic.

Let’s control our language so that we can control the conversation.

Peace.