People say I shouldn't teach a class called 'White Racism.' Here's why they're wrong. (upworthy.com)

I chose to title my course "White Racism" because I thought it was scholarly and succinct, precise and powerful.

White racism isn't an opinion. It's a historical and contemporary truth, supported by evidence, that's been taught for decades.

Evidence shows that race still matters in the labor market and workplace, education, and even in access to clean water. Race matters in health care, the criminal justice system, and even everyday retail and dining experiences.

The most common complaint that I’ve encountered thus far is that anybody can be racist, not just white people. They ask indignantly: What about "reverse racism"? Or what about other forms of racism they believe exist on the part of Latinos, Asian-Americans, and Native American peoples?

Not only should my course and others like it be taught at public colleges and universities, they must be taught at such institutions. It is in the public interest that students be provided with not only an opportunity to learn about the origin, logic, and consequences of white racial domination but also how to challenge and dismantle it. The public university classroom is among the best places for this to occur.  

The president of Florida Gulf Coast University, Michael Martin, has strongly and publicly supported the inclusion of my "White Racism" class in the university's course offerings.

To read more of Ted Thornhill's article, please click here.