Overview
Question:
Do you agree or disagree that individual racism and institutional racism exists in the United States? If you do not, explain what the basis is for such a conclusion? What facts, empirical evidence or information suggests such a finding is possible given the strength of the anecdotal, qualitative and quantitative evidence to the contrary?
To begin with, what is racism? According to Webster:
-a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
-a doctrine or political program based on the assumption of racism and designed to execute its principles
-a political or social system founded on racism
-racial prejudice or discrimination
What is institutional racism?
-Institutional racism: describes the way that institutions discriminate directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, through their structures and organizations to support or maintain racism. (Equal Opportunity Unit, Flinders University)
-Institutional racism (another definition):
-This type of racism occurs in respected and essential forces in society and therefore receives far less public condemnation, e.g. laws, clubs, deeds (for flats and houses omitting ownership for some).
-It is the manner in which social institutions have functioned to oppress and control minority groups within larger societies.
-They are frequently covert acts (secret, disguised, not open or explicit) they are far more subtle and less identifiable in terms of specific individuals committing acts.
(Ngaaga-Ngaaga Kooriduraay Aboriginal Awareness Program, TAFE NSW)
-Institutional racism: (another definition) refers to a pattern of distribution of social goods, including power, which regularly and systematically advantages some ethnic and racial groups and disadvantages others. It operates through key institutions: organized social arrangements through which social goods and services are distributed. (Chambers and Pettman, 1986:7)
-Institutional Racism: (and yet another definition) 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. (solid-ground.org)