What aspect does 'institutional racism' typically involve?

Institutional racism typically involves systematic discrimination through policies that create or perpetuate inequalities within social institutions. This concept refers to the ways in which racial bias is embedded in the operations and structures of institutions such as the legal system, education, health care, and employment. Unlike individual acts of prejudice or informal social interactions, which are more personal and immediate, institutional racism manifests through established practices and regulations that disadvantage certain racial or ethnic groups and can be perpetuated over time without the need for overtly discriminatory intentions.

By understanding institutional racism in this way, it becomes clear that it is more than an accumulation of individual biases; it reflects a broader social construct that institutionalizes inequality. This can be seen in practices like discriminatory hiring processes, unequal funding in schools based on neighborhood demographics, or biased law enforcement tactics, all of which are rooted in the policies and procedures of these institutions rather than individual actions. The systemic nature of institutional racism makes it particularly harmful and pervasive, as it is often invisible and can continue to affect generations without direct awareness from individuals within those systems.