We have all four definitions in play at the same time:
Common usage (Racism is bad by definition, and “I’m not racist” means “I did nothing wrong”)
Merriam-Webster
A subculture consisting of parts of academia (Racism = Power + Prejudice)
Your custom definition (a big cluster of correlated tendencies in belief)
Having four different definitions for the same word is very confusing!
“Sexual racism” is an apt term as all the behaviors I can think to attach to that label squarely fall within the ordinary language definitions I see here, here, here, etc.
a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
behavior or attitudes that reflect and foster this belief : racial discrimination or prejudice
the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another
a political or social system founded on racism and designed to execute its principles
Only dating members of specific races could be “racism” under 1b if it reflects a belief that “race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race”. But in that case, the person in question is already a racist, so the answer is already overdetermined.
You are probably correct about the usage of “racism” under academia’s definition and under your own definition. So there are 4 different answers to the question, “is it racist to only date members of specific races?”:
Common usage: not racist
Merriam-Webster: not racist
The academia subculture: racist
Your custom definition: racist
Once again, having so many definitions is confusing!
It is implausible that “racism” is only a valid label to apply to things like employment choices, but not to sexual choices.
By the exact same logic, it is implausible that “sexism” is only a valid label to apply to things like employment choices, but not to sexual choices. Both homosexuals and heterosexuals are sexist, and only bisexuals and asexuals are free of sexism.
I have an addendum talking about what my mental model for that label is. You don’t like that you have to scroll down to read it? I don’t think that’s a big issue, sorry.
By my count, there are 5,941 words between when you use “racism” and when you explain your custom definition. This does make the piece less readable, in my opinion.
Generally, there are four ways to define a word:
Common usage (how most people use the word)
The Dictionary
A subculture can make up a custom definition
An individual can make up a custom definition
We have all four definitions in play at the same time:
Common usage (Racism is bad by definition, and “I’m not racist” means “I did nothing wrong”)
Merriam-Webster
A subculture consisting of parts of academia (Racism = Power + Prejudice)
Your custom definition (a big cluster of correlated tendencies in belief)
Having four different definitions for the same word is very confusing!
I disagree. The Merriam-Webster definition you cite is
Only dating members of specific races could be “racism” under 1b if it reflects a belief that “race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race”. But in that case, the person in question is already a racist, so the answer is already overdetermined.
You are probably correct about the usage of “racism” under academia’s definition and under your own definition. So there are 4 different answers to the question, “is it racist to only date members of specific races?”:
Common usage: not racist
Merriam-Webster: not racist
The academia subculture: racist
Your custom definition: racist
Once again, having so many definitions is confusing!
By the exact same logic, it is implausible that “sexism” is only a valid label to apply to things like employment choices, but not to sexual choices. Both homosexuals and heterosexuals are sexist, and only bisexuals and asexuals are free of sexism.
By my count, there are 5,941 words between when you use “racism” and when you explain your custom definition. This does make the piece less readable, in my opinion.