What term describes the societal structures and processes that create and maintain racial inequality?

The term that describes the societal structures and processes creating and maintaining racial inequality is "systemic racism. " This means that racism is not just about individual actions or feelings; it is built into the laws, institutions, and cultural norms of society. For example, if a school funding system relies heavily on local property taxes, neighborhoods with lower property values, often due to historical discrimination, will have less funding for education. This creates a cycle where certain racial groups have less access to quality education and opportunities. Understanding systemic racism helps us see how deeply rooted inequalities can be and why they are difficult to change.