Which term describes the structured systems that enable racialized practices in society?

Institutional racism is the term that effectively describes the structured systems that enable racialized practices in society. This concept refers to the ways in which societal institutions—such as education, law enforcement, healthcare, and the economy—perpetuate inequities and discriminatory practices against certain racial groups. Rather than being solely based on individual prejudice, institutional racism emphasizes how policies, practices, and cultural norms within institutions can result in systemic disadvantages for specific groups.

For instance, institutional racism can manifest in biased hiring practices, unequal educational opportunities, and disparities in legal treatment based on race. These elements work together to maintain power dynamics and social hierarchies based on race, often without the direct involvement or awareness of individuals within those systems. Recognizing institutional racism is crucial for addressing broader societal issues related to race and inequality, as it highlights the need for reforms and systemic change.

In contrast, social stratification relates to the structured ranking of entire groups of people and the inequalities that arise from this ranking. Racial disparity refers to the differences in outcomes or conditions experienced by different racial groups but does not specifically address the underlying structures enabling these differences. Ethnic segregation pertains to the physical separation of groups based on ethnicity, which describes a behavioral pattern rather than the broader structural mechanisms in