"There is a difference here. Individual bigotry is bad - either way. It is also darned hard to correct as it is often reinforced at a very young age and becomes part of the individual. The lady you mention was probably brought up in an environment establishing and reinforcing that she was "owed" something. Given that slavery and segregation did exist, it is understandable, even if misplaced.
Institutional discrimination/racism is a different animal. A rude lady expecting favoritism creates hard feelings and harms civility, but she is an individual. Systemic racism affects an entire race of people".
Very true and not just race but age, women, disability, religion etc. etc.
When lecturing a graduate level class on this issue it was amusing to see how defensive most of the white students got when the history, research and statistics were placed before them. Individuals and their hate and stupidity make up larger groups that makeup the entire society. Discrimination is so subtle most of the time and very pervasive. I personally will not tolerate people with majority status trying to tell me my every day experiences are all in my head or even not true at all.
We each can be part of the problem or part of the solution but a person has to care first. Obviously still not a whole lot of genuine caring going on. Talk is cheap.
