Are you referring to definition 2A of racism, viewable on Merriam-Webster's online version?

(the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another)

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism

Because, to me, that is simply EXPANDING the definition of racism to include the systemic (alongside of the social and cultural). I support such an expansion. What I oppose would be to limit the definition of racism to EXCLUSIVELY refer to the systemic.

I read through the McWhorter piece, and it was somewhat confusing (but he's a linguist, so I guess that's to be expected). Where in the article does he say that actionable race-based incidents should no longer be defined as "racism"?