key term - Structural racism

Definition

Structural racism is the system in which public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations, and other norms work in various, often reinforcing ways to perpetuate racial group inequity. It identifies dimensions of our history and culture that have allowed privileges associated with "whiteness" and disadvantages associated with "color" to endure and adapt over time.

Related terms

Institutional Racism: Discrimination embedded within and spread through societal institutions (like schools or law enforcement) that disadvantages people of color.

Systemic Inequality: A broad term that encompasses all types of systemic biases and discriminations, including economic disparity and healthcare inequities among different racial or social groups.

White Privilege: The societal advantage that benefits white people over non-white people in some societies, particularly if they are otherwise under the same social, political, or economic circumstances