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I don’t see a reference to “structuring of opportunity” in the definition of racism linked to in the article. The entire text of the entry:

“Racism is a form of prejudice that assumes that the members of racial categories have distinctive characteristics and that these differences result in some racial groups being inferior to others. Racism generally includes negative emotional reactions to members of the group, acceptance of negative stereotypes, and racial discrimination against individuals; in some cases it leads to violence.

Discrimination refers to the differential treatment of the members of different ethnic, religious, national, or other groups. Discrimination is usually the behavioral manifestation of prejudice and therefore involves negative, hostile, and injurious treatment of members of rejected groups.”

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Thanks for letting me know. It looks like they updated the definition since I started writing the essay. This link shows the definition that was operating at the time. https://onscienceandacademia.org/t/apa-defines-racism-joins-the-csj-movement/1545

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The change (back?) is interesting. I wonder if it was announced. Is this a sign of retreat from the maximalist “woke” position, which is so clearly at odds with our ethical codes which honour individuality above group identities?

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I hope it is a good sign. I think there has been a lot of zeal to work in favor of minority or under-served groups that some did not recognize the ideology or implications. The previous definition was so clearly influenced by cultural Marxism and radical political ideology that it probably had to be changed. I think more people will snap out of the spell, so to speak, with more awareness!

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I think that many psychologists never fell under the spell, but neither were they willing to endure to wrath of the energetic young activist cadre by speaking out. I confirmed as much with an elder colleague in conversation today. The response to even minor “dissent” on our association listerv is so aggressive and unpleasant that people prefer to just ignore it. Shortsighted imo.

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