Institutionalized racism: causes, consequences, and structural mechanisms

Institutionalized Racism

Solid Ground is a non-profit organization based in King County (Washington) that provides shelter, food, counseling and other basic services for more than 30,000 people in the Seattle area. Solid Ground advocates for policies and initiatives that make opportunities and resources equally available to every human being. The organization defines institutionalized 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." ("Solid Ground," n.d.). It is difficult to eradicate because it is built on a long history of racism and discrimination. Slaves were freed in the United States more than one hundred fifty years ago, yet its effects are still felt in a broad range of policies and hierarchies that have been woven into the fabric of our society. In some cases, institutionalized racism is unintentional, but that makes it no less damaging to those who are denied resources and opportunities because of it.

Institutionalized racism still exists in the nation's public schools, even though educators have tried to close the so-named achievement gap and believe, for the most part, that they have effectively dealt with racism. Racism no longer takes the overt form of segregated schools, but nevertheless students of color frequently experience unintentional bias. "Most of the racism in schools today is not born out of intense hate and does not come from this place of wanting the worst for students of color," says Jarrod Schwartz, executive director of Just Communities Central Coast, a nonprofit based in Santa Barbara. The organization has a mission of informing educators about unintentional bias (Kunzia, 2009). For example, a school guidance counselor might steer a black student toward a vocational career or community college instead of a four-year university. In the counselor's view, she is doing the student a favor, suggesting an attainable goal rather than one that is either academically or financially out of reach. Yet unless the counselor makes the same recommendation to all students in an effort to spare disappointment, she is guilty of institutionalized racism. Even if unintentional, she is using stereotypes to discern the student's situation and making recommendations that, if followed, will help perpetuate them.

Gender, race, social class, and abilities are some of the dimensions of personal identity. Intersectionality refers to the ways these dimensions simultaneously contribute to social inequality. Based on race, one group of people is not offered the same educational opportunities as others. With less education, their employment options are reduced. When they are relegated to low-paying, unskilled jobs, they may have to work more than one in order to make ends meet. This precludes seeking any training or schooling that might be a way out and into a better position. It is difficult for an unskilled worker to be a role model to his/her children with respect to education and good jobs. The unskilled worker may not have the means to send children to college. Even with a scholarship, there are many expenses that may exceed the family budget. The cycle is thus perpetuated.