Authenticity operates along two vectors, true to self and true to the world, and is characterized by the interdependent dimensions of mission, power, structure, and resources. An authentic person has a clear mission that enhances self and others, a mission that directs sufficient energy to make and keep decisions over time. An authentic person also has a workable plan of action and adequately mobilizes appropriate and available resources. An authentic organization has a clearly stated mission, shares power with appropriate stakeholders, supports and challenges organization members to be authentic, and distributes appropriate human and material resources to the right people and agencies. Racism, on the other hand, perpetuates an unclear mission, does not share power, denies appropriate support and challenge, inequitably distributes resources, and rationalizes racism by blaming or ignoring the other group. Racism violates authenticity by distorting people's relationships among themselves and with the world. Whites in power use inauthentic power when they are racist, and their efforts to maximize inauthentic power result in their downfall. The dilution of authentic power by racism results in aggression, exploitation, revenge, manipulation, bribery, and even tyranny. Racism causes inflexible or unresponsive structures that restrict white people's normal ways of coping with themselves and the world. 6 figures.