If have carefully re-read this entire thread. Dabo, please do not so eagerly lump together the terms “Race” and “Racism.” The concept of “Race” appeals to biologically-based human characteristics (so-called phenotypes). My comments explaining Naonka’s gums were biologically-based and simply related to human characteristics. These concepts are matter-of-fact and can be explored without the negative connotations of “Racism.”
As a social structure, “Racism” is understood to be a product of the systematic allocation of resources, privileges, and rights differentially by race. It is a PREJUDICE that holds unfounded and usually negative beliefs and attitudes about racially defined groups and individuals.
More importantly, “Racism” does not require INTENTION to be perpetuated. So, even if some posters did not INTEND to incite racism on this thread with their comments about Naonka, it doesn’t mean that they were able to avoid doing so.