In Recognizing Racism in the Era of Neoliberalism, Angela Davis discusses how old definitions of racism limit modern ones. She uses the example of the civil rights movement; the ideals of this period, while progressive at the time, resulted in inflexible definitions of what it meant to overcome racism, and therefore, racism itself. These rigid definitions allow authority, as well as those in a position of privilege, to turn a blind eye to malicious acts against people of color, simply because the harassment is different than it was seventy years ago. I can’t help but draw parallels to the plights of other minorities; as a queer person, I am familiar with the argument that queer people should no longer engage in activism since they have already been granted marriage equality. Not only does this argument oversimplify queer people’s goals, but it also glosses over the variety present within the queer community. What about trans people like me that want our gender to appear on official paperwork? People of color, too are incredibly diverse. Additionally, activism and protest are hardly ever meant to achieve one single goal, dispersing upon its achievement. The fight of people of color isn’t over simply because public facilities are no longer segregated. Activism is an ongoing process, and language needs to evolve with it.
