Systemic racism, also called structural racism or institutional racism, comes from policies and practices that perpetuate a cycle of racial inequity. Glenn Harris, president of Race Forward and publisher of Colorlines, defined it as “the complex interaction of culture, policy and institutions that holds in place the outcomes we see in our lives.” It is embedded overtly and subtly in all areas of life, such wealth, housing, incarceration, political representation, and education. Systemic racism hurts us all, because it makes it more challenging for people of color to actively participate in society and in the economy.
Systemic racism affects every area of life in the U.S., from incarceration rates to predatory loans, and trying to solve these problems requires changes in major parts of our system. This video offers a closer look at what systemic racism is, and how we can solve it.