Systemic racism from "summary" of The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater
Systemic racism is a form of racism that is embedded in political and social institutions and affects people of color in negative ways. This racism affects economic, educational, and other opportunities, leading to disparities between people of color and white people in areas such as income, education, and employment.- Systemic racism exists when laws, practices and attitudes of society permit or encourage racism against specific groups of people. It can manifest in subtle or hidden ways which result in unequal access to resources and opportunities, and discriminatory treatment of such people.
- Systemic racism is often reinforced by smaller day-to-day behaviours that may not always appear harmful but have an overall negative effect on a particular community, such as students being treated differently in school or workplaces favouring one race over another.
- Systemic racism affects everyday life for people of color through unjust laws, aggressive policing, redlining neighborhoods, and residential segregation. These policies are based on ethnic bias and serve to perpetuate existing inequalities sometimes going back generations
- Throughout history, systemic racism has been used to justify oppressive policies and actions that limit the opportunities available to minority communities, making it impossible for them to advance socially, economically, and politically.
- Systemic racism continues to exist today because it is woven into the fabric of our society. Racism is deeply embedded in public policy and institutionalized discrimination remains prevalent in many parts of the world.
