A local community center implements a new policy that prioritizes funding for programs in predominantly minority neighborhoods. However, many residents in these neighborhoods feel that they are still not receiving adequate resources compared to majority neighborhoods. How does this situation illustrate the concept of institutional racism?

Institutional racism refers to the ways in which systems and policies in society can create unequal opportunities and outcomes for different racial or ethnic groups, even if there is no intentional discrimination. In this case, the community center's new policy aims to support minority neighborhoods, but if the funding is still insufficient or not effectively addressing the specific needs of these communities, it highlights a deeper issue. This can occur because the policies may not fully consider the historical disadvantages faced by these neighborhoods or may overlook the existing inequalities in resources. For example, if a minority neighborhood receives funding for a new program but lacks basic facilities or infrastructure, the impact of that funding may be minimal compared to what a majority neighborhood receives. Thus, the situation shows how well-meaning policies can still perpetuate disparities if they do not adequately address the root causes of inequality.