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Merriam-Webster describes racism as the belief that "racial differences lead to the inherent superiority of one race" or "a societal or political structure based on racism." In response to the ongoing social movements, particularly following the death of George Floyd, the dictionary is preparing to amend its definition for the first time in many years, according to The New York Times
Kennedy Mitchum, a 22-year-old graduate of Drake University, recently reached out to Merriam-Webster with a series of emails arguing for an improved definition. She noted that during discussions of systemic racism, some white individuals have relied on the dictionary's existing definition to claim that racism is only an individual issue. By refining the definition, Mitchum argued, the editors could highlight the broader societal harm of racism, which is central to the protests currently sweeping across the U.S.
Merriam-Webster editors agreed with Mitchum's argument that their definition of racism needed updating. While the entire entry won't be overhauled, the second section describing racism as "a doctrine or political program based on the assumption of racism and designed to execute its principles" or "a political or social system founded on racism" will be rewritten for clarity. The revision will make the definition more straightforward and include examples of institutional racism, such as apartheid in South Africa.
Dictionary editors understand that periods of social change can influence the way we communicate. A lexicographer's role is to observe language shifts and determine which of these changes will endure. While some updates reflecting current events may appear to be politically driven, dictionary editors focus only on highlighting terms that already reflect real-world usage. For instance, when Merriam-Webster included they as a non-binary pronoun in 2019, it was recognizing a usage that had been in practice for centuries.
