Institutional racism facts for kids

Institutional racism is a type of racism that is built into the rules and ways that institutions work. It's also called systemic racism because it's part of the systems that make up our society.

Often, people think of racism as just mean thoughts or actions from one person to another. But institutional racism means that unfairness based on race is present in how groups of people interact and how society is organized. It's not always about individual hate. Instead, it's about rules, policies, or common practices that lead to different outcomes for different racial groups.

This idea isn't new, but the term itself was created by civil rights leaders Stokely Carmichael and Charles V. Hamilton. They wanted to explain how racism could be part of a whole system, not just individual actions.

Institutional Racism in the United States

Institutional racism has been a big challenge in the United States. It has affected many parts of life, like where people can live.

Housing and Neighborhoods

In the past, Black Americans faced rules that stopped them from living in certain neighborhoods. For example, banks often refused to give them loans to buy homes in the same areas as white people. This was known as "redlining."

Because of these unfair practices, many Black families were forced to live in specific areas. Over time, these areas often became places with higher rates of poverty. They also sometimes lacked important resources. This includes things like good schools, safe parks, and healthy food stores. These differences in neighborhoods can still be seen today.

Images for kids

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  Minnesota Historical Society Location No. HD2.3 r7 Negative No. 10222 "Mixed blood (Indian and French) fur trader" ca. 1870

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  Joyce Echaquan, on the lake shore, 1999

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  Malaysian bumiputera supremacists protesting against the elimination of racial discrimination against citizens of different ethnic groups

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  Iberville Housing Projects in New Orleans, Louisiana

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  Bracero program

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  Interior Azteca Theater, Houston, Texas, 15 July 1927

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  US Civil Service Commission Seal EO11096

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  Kate T. Zeis, photo for U.S. Civil Service Commission card – NARA – 285491

See also

In Spanish: Racismo institucional para niños