Which of the following best describes the concept of structural racism within historical contexts?

Structural racism refers to the ways in which society's institutions and systems create and maintain racial inequalities over time. This means that laws, policies, and practices can favor one racial group while disadvantaging others, often without people realizing it. For example, in the United States, redlining was a practice where banks would deny loans to people in certain neighborhoods, which often included predominantly Black communities. This led to long-lasting economic disadvantages for those communities, affecting their access to housing, education, and jobs. Understanding structural racism helps us see how power and privilege are distributed in society and why some groups face ongoing challenges.