Institutional Racism in the 21st Century

Click on the flashcard to see the answer



What is institutional racism?

Institutional racism refers to policies and practices within institutions that, intentionally or not, produce outcomes that favor or put certain racial groups at a disadvantage.

Can you name one example of institutional racism in education?

An example of institutional racism in education is the racial achievement gap influenced by access to resources and funding.

How does institutional racism manifest in the criminal justice system?

It manifests through racial profiling, disparities in sentencing, and over-policing in minority communities.

What is redlining and how does it relate to institutional racism?

Redlining is the discriminatory practice of denying services (typically financial) to residents of certain areas based on race.

Which legislation was passed to combat institutional racism in housing in the US?

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was enacted to combat racial discrimination in housing.

How can healthcare discrimination be considered a form of institutional racism?

Healthcare discrimination limits minority communities' access to quality medical care, resulting in health disparities.

What role do implicit biases play in perpetuating institutional racism?

Implicit biases can influence decision-making unconsciously, resulting in biased behavior within institutions.

What is the significance of the term 'systemic racism'?

Systemic racism refers to the complex interaction of culture, policy, and institutions that holds in place the outcomes we see in our society.

How has institutional racism impacted employment opportunities for minorities?

It has resulted in wage gaps, fewer job opportunities, and glass ceilings that limit career advancement for minorities.

Can you give an example of legislative reform aimed at reducing institutional racism?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 aimed to eliminate discrimination in various spheres including employment and public accommodations.

How do standardized testing practices reflect institutional racism?

They can disadvantage students from minority backgrounds who may not have the same preparatory resources.

Name a key figure in combating institutional racism in the United States.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, advocating against segregation and discrimination.

What is affirmative action and how does it address institutional racism?

Affirmative action involves policies that support members of disadvantaged groups that suffer from discrimination.

How does mass incarceration relate to institutional racism?

Minority groups, particularly African Americans and Latinos, are disproportionately imprisoned, often due to systemic biases.

What is a 'racial equity audit' and how does it function?

It is an analysis of how different racial groups are differently served and affected by policies and practices, often used to identify institutional racism.





Test Your Knowledge

Select the correct option


1. What is institutional racism?

A policy favoring economic equality.

Policies and practices within institutions that favor or put certain racial groups at a disadvantage.

An individual prejudiced attitude towards someone of a different race.

Efforts to provide equal job opportunities to all.

2. Can you name one example of institutional racism in education?

Equal distribution of teachers.

Racial achievement gap influenced by access to resources and funding.

Widespread use of bilingual education programs.

The introduction of school uniforms.

3. How does institutional racism manifest in the criminal justice system?

Racial profiling, disparities in sentencing, and over-policing in minority communities.

Equal sentence distribution among all demographics.

Increase in community policing for efficiency.

Fair representation of diverse populations in juries.

4. What is redlining and how does it relate to institutional racism?

Discriminatory practice of denying services in certain areas based on race.

A health concern prevalent in red meat industries.

Analysis of GDP growth in different regions.

A form of workplace discrimination against women.

5. Which legislation was passed to combat institutional racism in housing in the US?

The Fair Housing Act of 1968.

The No Child Left Behind Act.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act.

The Social Security Act.

6. How can healthcare discrimination be considered a form of institutional racism?

It promotes the same medical protocols for all patients.

It focuses on eliminating biases in technology.

Limits minority communities' access to quality medical care, resulting in health disparities.

Allows for diverse representation in medical school admissions.

7. What role do implicit biases play in perpetuating institutional racism?

Influencing decision-making unconsciously, resulting in biased behavior within institutions.

Promoting awareness among policy makers.

Reducing the need for diversity training.

Creating opportunities for conscious equal treatment.

8. What is the significance of the term 'systemic racism'?

An isolated incident of racial profiling.

A focus on individualized responsibility in addressing racism.

Complex interaction of culture, policy, and institutions holding in place societal outcomes.

A historic form of discrimination no longer relevant.

9. How has institutional racism impacted employment opportunities for minorities?

Ensures diverse recruitment in top companies.

Resulted in wage gaps, fewer job opportunities, and glass ceilings for minorities.

Implemented quotas strictly based on merit.

Equal opportunity laws have eradicated all barriers.

10. Can you give an example of legislative reform aimed at reducing institutional racism?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Education Reform Act.

The Patriot Act.

The Freedom of Information Act.

11. How do standardized testing practices reflect institutional racism?

They accurately measure all student capabilities without bias.

They favor students from urban areas.

They can disadvantage students from minority backgrounds with fewer preparatory resources.

They exclusively assess math and science skills.

12. Name a key figure in combating institutional racism in the United States.

Albert Einstein.

Nelson Mandela.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Rosa Parks.

13. What is affirmative action and how does it address institutional racism?

A policy promoting economic equality across all industries.

Policies that support members of disadvantaged groups that suffer from discrimination.

A climate initiative to reduce emissions.

A budgetary policy for allocating funds.

14. How does mass incarceration relate to institutional racism?

Minority groups are disproportionately imprisoned, often due to systemic biases.

It equally prevents crime across all communities.

It primarily targets high-income white-collar crimes.

It results from gender-neutral policies.

15. What is a 'racial equity audit' and how does it function?

It ensures equal advertising opportunities for all races.

A check of compliance with environmental laws.

An analysis used for efficiency in energy use.

Analysis of how different racial groups are differently served and affected by policies.