For This Week's Discussion I Would Like You To Write In At L

For This Weeks Discussion I Would Like You To Writein At Least 300

For this week's discussion, I would like you to write, in at least 300 words, a formative analysis of the lessons from this week to create a cohesive understanding of what institutional racism is (i.e., structural or systemic racism). As you think/write your summary, ask yourself: How and why was race created and structured into society, specifically in the United States? How does racism affect people's lives today? How do the various institutions of society maintain a racialized class system, nationally and even globally? Material Artifact (6 pts): After you have formulated an understanding about what institutional racism is, make sure to end your post with a material artifact that expresses concrete ways that racial and ethnic inequalities are being addressed in the United States (nationally), locally, or even globally.

Provide a formative analysis of the readings, lessons, learning videos, and/or films throughout the week—express what you learned throughout the week’s lessons, but also apply these understandings to the real world (very similar to the SS assignment listed above). In doing so, cite at least three resources from the weekly assignments (using a proper citation format of your choice—as in-text and works cited section at the end of your post). If you need help with citing resources, either reach out to me directly or return to the week zero information I provided about how to do this.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding institutional racism is crucial to comprehending the systemic inequalities that persist within societies, particularly in the United States. Institutional or systemic racism refers to the policies, structures, and practices embedded within social institutions that disproportionately advantage one racial group over others, perpetuating racial disparities across generations (Feagin, 2014). This form of racism is not merely a product of individual biases but is embedded in the fabric of societal institutions such as education, criminal justice, employment, and healthcare. These institutions sustain a racialized class system that consolidates racial inequalities and maintains power dynamics favoring dominant groups (Bonilla-Silva, 2014).

The concept of race as a social construct was created and structured into society through a history rooted in colonization, slavery, and imperialism. In the United States, race was deliberately constructed during the colonial era to justify the enslavement of Africans by assigning biological and cultural differences that dehumanized non-white populations (Omi & Winant, 2014). This racial stratification was institutionalized through laws, policies, and social norms that reinforced segregation and racial hierarchy, effects that continue today. The systemic embedding of race into societal institutions resulted in disparities in wealth, education, employment, and criminal justice, which persist across generations (Alexander, 2012).

Today, racism continually influences individuals' lives through institutional practices that perpetuate inequality. For example, discriminatory hiring practices, racial profiling by law enforcement, and unequal access to quality education and healthcare have significant impacts on marginalized communities (Williams & Mohammed, 2009). These systemic practices uphold a racialized class system, wherein racial minorities are often confined to lower socioeconomic statuses, limiting their opportunities and socio-political mobility. Globally, colonial legacies and international economic structures exacerbate these inequalities, creating a persistent racialized hierarchy across nations (Morgensen, 2016).

Efforts to address racial and ethnic inequalities in the US include policies aimed at reforming criminal justice practices, expanding access to education, and promoting economic equity. For instance, movements like Black Lives Matter advocate for policing reforms and racial justice. Additionally, initiatives like affirmative action seek to increase opportunities for marginalized groups in education and employment (Crenshaw, 2011). Community-based organizations and international human rights initiatives also work toward dismantling systemic racism worldwide, emphasizing structural change over individual acts of prejudice.

References

• Alexander, M. (2012). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. The New Press.
• Bonilla-Silva, E. (2014). Racism without racists: Color-blind racism and the persistence of racial inequality. Rowman & Littlefield.
• Crenshaw, K. (2011). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory, and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), 139-167.
• Feagin, J. R. (2014). Racial Formation in the Twenty-First Century. Routledge.
• Morgensen, S. L. (2016). Spaces of Indigenous exile: The politics of Anishinaabe displacement. Duke University Press.
• Omi, M., & Winant, H. (2014). Racial formation in the United States. Routledge.
• Williams, D. R., & Mohammed, S. A. (2009). Discrimination and racial disparities in health: Evidence and needed research. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 32(1), 20-47.