What specific change will Merriam-Webster make to its racism definition?

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Merriam-Webster to Modify Racism Definition to Include Systemic Oppression

Merriam-Webster will update its definition of racism to explicitly incorporate the concept of systemic oppression, following a suggestion from Kennedy Mitchum, a young Black woman. The modification aims to more accurately reflect the lived experiences of people of color and will be implemented in the dictionary's upcoming release. This revision acknowledges that racism extends beyond individual prejudice to encompass broader societal structures.
Inclusion of "Systematic Oppression"

Kennedy Mitchum proposed that the definition of racism should explicitly state "a systematic oppression upon a group of people." She communicated this suggestion to Merriam-Webster, arguing that the existing definition did not sufficiently capture the institutional and systemic nature of racial discrimination. Mitchum's feedback emphasized that racism involves more than just personal dislike, highlighting its role in broader societal power dynamics.
Editorial Confirmation of Change

Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster's editorial manager, confirmed that the dictionary would indeed modify its definition of racism in response to Mitchum's input. He indicated that while the current second definition already touches upon aspects of systemic racism, the revision will clarify and strengthen this element. This adjustment is part of Merriam-Webster's ongoing process of keeping its definitions current with evolving language usage and societal understanding.
Refinement of Existing Definition

The current second definition of racism in Merriam-Webster's dictionary describes it as "a doctrine or political program based on the assumption of racism and designed to execute its principles," and "a political or social system founded on racism." Sokolowski stated that the forthcoming update will make these aspects, particularly the idea of a system founded on racism, "even more clear." This ensures the definition better aligns with contemporary discussions and research on racial inequality.

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What specific change will Merriam-Webster make to its racism definition?

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