“Raaacist!” Ever had someone playfully call you that? Society has used the “R” word so much that it’s almost become a joke uttered every time someone makes a comment about anyone – even of the same skin color.

Actor Will Smith recently noted the overuse of this word and made some thought-provoking comments on the topic. As People Magazine reports:

“Smith first explained the difference between ‘prejudice’ and ‘racism,’ as they’re defined in the dictionary.

‘Everybody is prejudiced. Everybody has their life experiences that make them prefer one thing over another – it makes them prefer blond hair over a brunette; if you see somebody with dark skin walking down the street, you have a different reaction than you have [with] someone who is 5-foot-1 and white,’ the Concussion star said. ‘But there is a connotation with racism of superiority: You feel that your race generally is superior.’

While Smith said that he lives ‘with constant prejudice,’ he added that racism is something he deals with rarely. But he does deal with it.”

Smith’s comments are worth pondering. Do you believe the term “racism” is overused and over-applied in today’s society? Are occurrences of simple “prejudice” too often labeled as “racism”?

Image Credit: Collider