So that’s another way that someone who doesn’t intend to be a slur-spewing capital-R Racist can still harbor some racism.

This reminds me of something my partner says about two of his uncles: “D” is the one he calls his “racist redneck uncle” is overt, and doesn’t pretend that it’s some sort of virtue.

His other uncle, “J”, however, is covert in his -isms (the racism is there, and I’ve seen rampant sexism as well), and can’t admit to himself that he might have disparaging opinions of non-male, non-white. Favorite word to describe “J”: insidious. His favorite argument: “But I can’t hate non-whites/women — I’m Christian!”

(This is another place of privilege that I’m starting to see — the “Christian=good” therefore “non-Christian=bad” bit. Since I have declined as an adult to participate in religion, I’m starting to feel that. But I digress. Again. Sorry.)

Back to the matter at hand:

I have racist tendencies that I’m working to overcome. I am becoming increasingly aware of this. Fatalism, for me, would be the lazy way out of the situation, and, in the words of Louis Armstrong, I can’t let my mouth say something my head can’t stand.

even if you accept the premise that all white people are a little racist because of the nature of being white, that doesn’t mean that white people are inherently bad

This is hugely important to remember, because too many people conflate “racist” with “horrible person,” and thus end up shutting out the words of anti-racists. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen analyses of racism countered with, “but I’m/he’s/she’s such a nice person!” As my professor said, being “nice” is about as relevant to whether a person is racist as liking dogs.

One part that I think ought to be added to your analysis is non-interpersonal racism. I’m thinking of structural racism, such as old boys’ networks in places of employment, or the racist history of home ownership. These are definitely instances in which good, nice people can benefit from racial privilege. Does this make them racist? I would say it’s possible, such as a person who benefits from these racist structures and uses them to judge people who lack them for being less successful. So that’s another way that someone who doesn’t intend to be a slur-spewing capital-R Racist can still harbor some racism.