DAY 7: Institutional Racism

Solid Ground defines Institutional Racism as “the systematic distribution of resources, power and opportunity in our society to the benefit of people who are white and the exclusion of people of color.” Addressing Institutional Racism, means addressing how deeply discrimination and segregation is built into our societal systems. It is important to note that institutional racism can reside in both the formal and informal workings of organizations and institutions. Institutional Racism can be observed in our formal policies, for example, and in more informal, subtle, socially accepted behavior.

Present-day racism was built on a long history of racially distributed resources and ideas that shape our view of ourselves and others. It is a hierarchical system that comes with a broad range of policies and institutions that keep it in place. Policies shaped by institutional racism that enforce segregation include redlining, predatory lending, the exclusion of Black veterans from the G.I. bill, and the forced segregation of neighborhoods by the Federal Housing Authority. As a result of institutional racism, racial stratification and inequities persist in employment, housing, education, healthcare, government, and other sectors.

“The Many Ways Institutional Racism Kills Black People”

– Khiara M. Bridges, TIME

“Marley Dias talks Institutional Racism”
-National Education Association

“Institutional Racism and Traumatic Stress with Dr. Alfiee“
– Being Well Podcast

These articles were curated by a local committee to be used as a list of resources pertinent to DEI topics. The 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge Committee would like to thank and give attribution to those who created the content above, which reflects their individual perspectives. We do not support nor endorse any advertisements associated with the above content.

REFLECT...

Use these following prompts to reflect on the information you consumed today:

What comes up for you when you consider Institutional Racism?

What might be done to nudge an organization/community to be more fully anti-racist, equitable and liberatory?

Shine a light on your workplace, school, place of worship, or organization. Consider where the organization falls on the bellow continuum on becoming an anti-racist multicultural organization.

https://www.aesa.us/conferences/2013_ac_presentations/Continuum_AntiRacist.pdf