What is institutional racism primarily defined as?

Institutional racism is mainly defined as the unfair treatment of people based on their race within the policies and practices of institutions, like schools, workplaces, or the legal system. This type of racism isn’t just about individual actions; it happens when the rules or systems are set up in a way that disadvantages certain racial groups. For example, if a school has strict disciplinary policies that affect students of one race more harshly than others, that could be seen as institutional racism. This can lead to unequal opportunities and outcomes, making it harder for those affected to succeed. Understanding this helps us see how important it is to change systems to be fair for everyone, regardless of their race.