Institutional and systemic racism are deeply ingrained in society's structures. These forms of racism go beyond individual prejudice, shaping policies, practices, and norms that disadvantage certain racial groups while benefiting others.

The effects are far-reaching, impacting education, housing, healthcare, and more. Understanding these systems is crucial for addressing racial inequalities and working towards a more just society.

Types of Racism

Racism Embedded in Organizations and Systems

• Institutional racism involves discriminatory treatment, unfair policies and inequitable opportunities and impacts, based on race, produced and perpetuated by institutions (schools, mass media, etc.)
• Systemic racism is the formalization of a set of institutional, historical, cultural, and interpersonal practices within a society that more often than not puts one social or ethnic group in a better position to succeed and at the same time disadvantages other groups in a consistent and constant manner that disparities develop between the groups over a period of time
• Structural racism refers to the totality of ways in which societies foster racial discrimination through mutually reinforcing systems of housing, education, employment, earnings, benefits, credit, media, health care, and criminal justice
  • These patterns and practices in turn reinforce discriminatory beliefs, values, and distribution of resources

Manifestations of Racism

• Racial bias is a prejudice in favor of or against one race compared to another
  • Often stems from stereotypes and unconscious beliefs
• Discrimination involves restricting members of one racial group from opportunities or privileges that are available to members of another racial group
  • Leads to the exclusion or oppression of certain groups (housing discrimination, hiring discrimination)
• Racial inequality refers to unequal outcomes in society (income, wealth, education, health) that correlate to race
  • Arises through the compounding effects of racism across institutions

Factors Perpetuating Racism

• Power structures refer to the systemic imbalance of power between racial groups that is maintained by social, political, and economic institutions
  • Dominant racial groups have disproportionate control or influence over resources and decision-making
  • Marginalized racial groups face barriers and limited opportunities to gain power
• Historical oppression, segregation, and discrimination have led to the entrenchment of racial hierarchies and inequities
  • Intergenerational transmission of advantage/disadvantage reinforces racial gaps (wealth passed down, poverty persisting across generations)
• Ideologies and cultural representations that devalue certain racial groups serve to justify and perpetuate racism
  • Negative stereotypes and implicit biases shape perceptions and treatment of racial minorities (portrayal in media, beliefs about intelligence or criminality)