The effects of systemic racism on society have been studied since the early 1900s. Progressive Era social scientist W.E.B. Dubois pointed out the ongoing cycle of racial discrimination in various areas of society. These issues became the focus of the Civil Rights Movement as Black leaders fought against Jim Crow laws and promoted racial equity. Black Americans have seen progress in terms of systemic and structural racism, but it still exists today.

According to 2023 research from The IZA Institute for Labor Economics, job applicants who are perceived to be white are 30% more likely to be hired than those with names perceived to be Black. The same study also showed that this race gap increases by 25% when employers rush a hiring decision. This form of bias is known as name discrimination. This type of discrimination is a small example of the broader inequalities produced by systemic racism. 

Systemic racism impacts many aspects of society, from education to housing to healthcare and employment. Ahead, we provide helpful definitions and examples of systemic racism in everyday life. We also share a few ways to reduce systemic racism.

Systemic Racism Definition

Systemic racism is a form of discrimination stemming from institutional and societal structures. It is the result of laws, policies and cultural practices that create and maintain racial hierarchies in society. Institutional and societal structures support racial discrimination and inequality, creating a cycle. This form of racism can be traced back to deliberate acts of discrimination against Black, Indigenous and other communities of color. It has socioeconomic and health consequences that create more racial inequity in society.

Five Examples of Systemic Racism

To fully understand the effects of systemic racism, it can be helpful to identify how it affects aspects of everyday life. You can find five examples of systemic racism ahead.

1. Racism in the Education System

Systemic racism has persisted in the education system over the years. Some of the factors that perpetuate racism are unequal funding due to gerrymandering, harsher disciplinary measures for Black students and racial achievement gaps. 

These inequities lead to a racial education gap that impacts students in some areas more than others. Efforts to create racial equity in education can help reduce this gap and decrease the effect of systemic racism in education. Understanding how systemic racism affects education is important in addressing the issue. 

2. Systemic Racism in Healthcare

The effect of systemic racism on healthcare has serious consequences for underrepresented communities. A range of factors contribute to this issue. For example, living in areas with environmental issues negatively impacts the health of surrounding communities. 

In 2022, Pew Research Center asked different communities about their healthcare experiences. In the results, 52% of Black American respondents noted environmental issues as a cause of health issues. The results also showed that 47% of respondents reported health issues linked to high-risk jobs. The same percentage also noted that healthcare providers are less likely to prioritize their well-being. 

As technology in the healthcare industry has evolved, new issues with systemic racism and medicine have emerged. The Federal Communications Commission researched broadband access and patient outcomes. They found that broadband access is a social determinant of health (a non-medical factor that can affect human health outcomes). 

According to 2023 data from The National Library of Medicine, Black and Latino communities have the lowest rates of broadband access in the U.S. This correlation is a great example of how systemic racism can have a compounding effect on population health for communities of color. 

3. Racial Housing Discrimination

Another way systemic racism unfairly affects the lives of Black Americans is through housing discrimination. In the past, mortgage lenders have used “redlining” as a way to segregate underrepresented communities. This practice refers to how lenders draw red lines to separate communities on a map based on desirability. As a result, people from underrepresented communities are denied home loans based on location instead of their ability to pay back the loan. This is a clear example of how systemic racism has denied Black families from creating generational wealth with real estate. Redlining was made illegal by the Fair Housing Act in 1968, but its effects are still present in communities across the U.S.

4. Racism in the Criminal Justice System

According to data shared by the NAACP, Black Americans are incarcerated at five times the rate of white Americans. Black Americans also face tougher sentences compared to white Americans. Over-policing in underrepresented communities and racial profiling are examples of systemic racism within the legal system. These issues can lead to mental health problems for individuals who experience these disparities. These mental health struggles are also less likely to be diagnosed and treated because of discrimination in healthcare.

5. Employment Discrimination

Systemic racism also affects employment, with Black Americans experiencing higher unemployment rates. Various factors contribute to these disparities. Some of these factors include skills and education gaps. Another contributing factor, specifically for Black men, is higher incarceration rates. Black men are more likely to be incarcerated, so they cannot participate in the workforce as much as other groups. They are also less likely to get jobs after their release because of stigma and unconscious bias. There are more examples of systemic racism that impact other areas of life. This highlights how pervasive it is and why it is important to look for solutions to address this issue. 

How to Address Systemic Racism

There are many different ways to address systemic racism. Below are three ways that governments, companies and individuals are addressing this form of racism.

Representation and Visibility

Representation matters, and having qualified people of color in leadership positions future generations with positive examples of hope. Increasing diversity in leadership can help address these issues from within the institutions they exist. This can help minimize the effects of systemic racism over time. 

Unconscious Bias Training

The cumulative effect of unconscious biases can compound the effects of systemic racism. Training and educational programs, such as diversity workshops and seminars, can help reduce these biases. This, in turn, can reduce the impact of systemic racism.

Government Reform

Until these disparities are addressed through public policy, the impacts of systemic racism will remain. By reforming discriminatory legal policies, lawmakers play a critical role in reversing systemic racism.

Learn about how systemic bias affects the tech industry and stay up to date with the latest from Robert F. Smith by following him on LinkedIn.