Racism Everywhere Syndrome (RES) is an informal term used to describe a phenomenon in which an individual interprets neutral or innocent subjects as racist due to their own subconscious associations. Instead of recognizing the thought as originating from themselves, the person externalizes it and labels the subject as racist.
Definition
RES has been described as a type of cognitive projection, where one’s own implicit associations are attributed to an outside object, character, or symbol. Proponents of the term argue that a truly non-racist individual would not make such associations in the first place.
Characteristics
Typical features of RES include:
Overinterpretation: assigning racist intent to symbols, colors, or characters with no evidence of such intent.
Projection: transferring one’s own subconscious thought onto an external subject.
Moral signaling: publicly accusing neutral subjects of racism as a way of demonstrating personal anti-racist values.
Examples
Interpreting a fictional character’s dark fur, clothing, or traits as racist stereotypes, despite no evidence of authorial intent.
Viewing ordinary colors, shapes, or symbols as inherently racist.
Definition
RES has been described as a type of cognitive projection, where one’s own implicit associations are attributed to an outside object, character, or symbol. Proponents of the term argue that a truly non-racist individual would not make such associations in the first place.
Characteristics
Typical features of RES include:
Overinterpretation: assigning racist intent to symbols, colors, or characters with no evidence of such intent.
Projection: transferring one’s own subconscious thought onto an external subject.
Moral signaling: publicly accusing neutral subjects of racism as a way of demonstrating personal anti-racist values.
Examples
Interpreting a fictional character’s dark fur, clothing, or traits as racist stereotypes, despite no evidence of authorial intent.
Viewing ordinary colors, shapes, or symbols as inherently racist.
“Claiming that chess is racist because the white pieces move first is just another case of RES.”
“She said that a coffee shop menu was racist because it uses the term ‘black coffee.’ She definitely suffers from Racism Everywhere Syndrome (RES).”
“She said that a coffee shop menu was racist because it uses the term ‘black coffee.’ She definitely suffers from Racism Everywhere Syndrome (RES).”
by PhraseSmith August 16, 2025
Get the Racism Everywhere Syndrome (RES)mug. by BousheyMF August 20, 2024
Get the Res penmug. by Lameo mcgameo July 2, 2017
Get the Re-Remug. When you include the same definition again on Urban Dictionary because you hope you'll get accepted.
This definition is totally Re-Urbaning.
by EvannAwesome June 27, 2016
Get the Re-Urbaningmug. Piece of shit car, truck, or sweet van in the reservation. Usually rusty and has loud exhaust. More than likely if it is a truck will be hauling equally junky motorized toys such as four wheelers (hondas) and old snowmobiles. Free lawn mowers are a prize for the beds of these trucks.
Did you see Tom Zoom's new truck?! Yeah, that thing is a real Res Banger. The bumper fell off when he pulled his blown up el Tigre out of it.
by Teepee Creepin' Good time December 20, 2010
Get the Res Bangermug. by Urge3113 August 16, 2017
Get the re-raisermug. Native boys who live on the Indian reserve. They sell darts to the white boy farmers who go there for gas.
Boy 1: I went to the res to get some gas for the rig, some woman there asked me if I was a res boy.
Boy 2: You do look a bit like a little res boy.
Boy 2: You do look a bit like a little res boy.
by sugondese69 December 11, 2018
Get the Res boymug.