In the context of structural racism, the concept of __________ emphasizes that racial inequalities are maintained not just through individual prejudices, but through systemic policies and practices that create barriers for marginalized groups.

In the context of structural racism, the concept of institutional racism emphasizes that racial inequalities are maintained not just through individual prejudices, but through systemic policies and practices. This means that certain rules and structures in society, like laws and institutional practices, can disadvantage specific racial groups, even if no one person is intentionally being racist. For example, if a school district has funding that favors wealthier neighborhoods, students from poorer, often racially marginalized, areas might not receive the same quality of education. This creates a cycle where these students face barriers in achieving the same opportunities as others, reinforcing inequality over time. Therefore, understanding institutional racism helps us see that changing individual attitudes is not enough; we also need to address the systems that create and maintain these disparities.