Many scholars in sociology and Black Studies define racism not just as personal prejudice, but as a structural system that requires power to enforce racial bias. This framework argues that for prejudice to function as racism, it must be backed by societal power which leads to real-world consequences and material disadvantages for marginalized groups. From this perspective, a society where institutional power is held by white people, only white people can enact racism.

Anyone, regardless of race, can hold bigoted or prejudiced views, I do in fact hold prejudiced views of white people as racist.