What types of racism exist?

The identification of racism can be categorized in various ways, but individual and institutional racism are critical frameworks in understanding its implications.

Individual racism refers to personal beliefs, attitudes, and actions that express prejudice based on race. This can manifest in overt behaviors, such as racial slurs or discrimination in personal interactions, as well as in subtle forms, like unconscious biases that affect how individuals perceive and treat others.

Institutional racism, on the other hand, denotes the policies and practices within organizations or institutions that, intentionally or unintentionally, result in unequal treatment or negative outcomes for certain racial groups. This includes systemic inequalities upheld by laws, regulations, and institutional practices that may favor one group over another, leading to disparities in areas such as education, employment, housing, and criminal justice.

Understanding these forms of racism is essential to address and combat them effectively. It allows individuals and organizations to develop targeted interventions that tackle both personal prejudices and the larger, entrenched systems that sustain racial inequalities.