Or are being ignorantly used for the same goal.

Speaking from experience... Dx

Had a long convo with my ex about world developments on which we mostly agreed. I also reiterated how in my position as a Black woman, an immigrant in Austria, as an American citizen, that my sense of impact and concern is of different nature than his. At last, he got it.

Yep. It's never not racism. It's can be racism and... and often is. But, it's never without. Never ...hold the racism. Not in a US or western European context anyway.

When students ask "why everything is about race" I have them select a noun. Any noun. "Air?" Factories are built next to Black neighborhoods... "Cars" Interstates... "Football" Few if any minority coaches... "Dirt" Slavery and the entire US economy... It takes a minute but they get it.

my kids: it’s not ALWAYS about RACE, MOM!! me: i’ll bet you ten american dollars that it is

"I'm telling you everyone who is not white would LOVE for everything not to be about race." LOVE IT

Just so. I am reminded of not long ago when someone was all mad that the newest D&D book included a picture with a taco in it. This, they swore, was a slap in the face of old school gamers and a blatant attempt to pander to a new audience. A taco.

Similar can be said for LGBT+ people, women, etc ... When your very existence had been made political, then you can't escape it.

Disability. The disabled are the first to die in any fascist genocide. Because, to kill us, a fascist regime need to do nothing. We can die from inaction alone. Any other demographic needs state action to kill. The US government is already openly stating that they will let disabled people perish.