Racism is solely defined by overt actions and beliefs, while prejudice only concerns personal biases that do not impact societal structures.

Racism is more than just openly harmful actions or beliefs; it includes systemic issues that affect how different racial groups are treated in society. This means that racism can be found in laws, policies, and practices that disadvantage certain groups, even if individuals are not consciously acting in a racist way. Prejudice, on the other hand, refers to personal feelings or attitudes that someone might hold about another race, which may not directly affect society as a whole. For example, a person might have a negative bias against a certain race but may not be in a position to influence laws or policies. Understanding the difference is important because it helps us recognize how both personal beliefs and larger societal systems can contribute to inequality.