These words are undefined and different definitions are being used in the same conversations and both sides don't even use the intended one when the usage is switched. This is a large part of the problem when people use this undefined word. So here we go

racism

1. prejudice against colored people by white people

2. one race thinking their race is superior to another

3. simply disliking another race

4. disliking another race, applies only if you're white because you (?somehow?) have extra powers

5. one who studies race, similar to how a chemist studies chemistry (not a popular one, but this should be what the word racism means judging by all the other "ists")

6. (political) thinking of your race is superior to another while actively hating other races

7. A white person who acknowledges race.

Number 6 is the original mainstream usage of the word after the slaves in the US were freed; while similar to number 2, they are used separately often and in a mutually exclusive way.

For extra humor we'll look at why none of these definitions really work by listing the definitions of the supposed opposite term of the word i.e. "reverse racism". For anyone who knows about mathematical functions, some functions require that when you move the operands you get the same result. That is how language works and that IS, in fact, what is supposed to happen with opposite terms, and here the word "reverse" certainly is supposed to mean the opposite. We'll start by reversing the definitions above.

reverse racism:

1. extra benefits given to colored people by white people (this is what's happening but I haven't heard anyone use the term like this)

2. one race thinking their race is inferior to another (I've only heard Joe Biden allude to this)

3. simply liking another race

4. liking another race, only if you're colored because you have lesser powers

5. someone who avoids studying race? (not sure what a reverse chemist would be but that is the function of the word reverse here)

6. thinking your race is inferior while actively idolizing another race

7. A colored person who acknowledges race.

I did my best to reverse the definitions based on the original (time is short I have to go do stuff), but as you can see, it seems like people will use a portion of one here and there, then transition into a different one without clear meaning - I challenge people to either encapsulate all what people are talking about in one definition; there will certainly be easy-to-find inconsistent uses...

I know of ZERO people who seem to acknowledge and make use of the facts stated in this post. One will never be able to use words properly to express ideas if they do not know what they mean. Fact.