Institutionalized Racism

Institutionalized racism refers to the ways in which policies, practices, and systems within institutions—such as education, employment, housing, and the criminal justice system—perpetuate racial inequalities. These systemic arrangements often create barriers for marginalized racial groups, leading to disparities in opportunities, resources, and treatment. Unlike individual prejudice, institutionalized racism is embedded in the normal functioning of society, making it harder to identify and change. It maintains unequal power dynamics over time, influencing the social and economic outcomes for racial groups across generations.