Module 2: Understanding race & racism
   Part 4: Systemic/institutional racism

In Part 3, "Race: The Power of an Illusion" showed that race is not a biological phenomenon, but race exists as a social construct. Building on the social construction of race, the following document will explore definitions, causes, and results of systemic racism.

Suggested Goals:
1. Understand systemic racism.
2. Describe the results or effects of systemic racism.
3. Begin to formulate ways to respond to systemic racism.

&1: Systemic/Institutional racism

As noted in previous definitions and overviews of racism, the idea of racism is more than the actions of a few “racist” individuals. Racist systems are embedded in the fabric of society. To gain a better understanding of the ways racism is systemic and institutional, this part of the module will look at resources from a variety of sites. 

To begin, the following resources offer an overview of the impacts and consequences of systemic racism.

Read/Listen:
What Systemic Racism Means and the Way It Harms Communities
https://www.npr.org/2020/07/01/885878564/what-systemic-racism-means-and-the-way-it-harms-communities

Watch:
Systemic Racism Explained
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrHIQIO_bdQ&feature=youtu.be

What are structural, institutional, and systemic racism?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtOOj5YvMyc

Smithsonian Magazine provides an overview of racism in America. The Smithsonian Magazine site linked below offers a variety of resources on topics related to racism. Section 2 on the site focuses on systemic inequity. The embedded links can connect you to additional information.

Read/Explore:
158 Resources to Understand Racism in America
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/158-resources-understanding-systemic-racism-america-180975029/

Reflection:
  • Based on the background information presented here, how would you define systemic racism?
  • How has systemic racism persisted throughout history?
  • How does systemic racism exist in society today?

Slavery has lasting impacts that are expressed through systemic racism. The 1619 Project explores how the legacy of slavery has shaped race in the United States. The 1619 Project is made up of articles and podcasts, some of which are linked below.

Read/Listen/Explore:
The 1619 Project (New York Times - requires a free account for limited access)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html

The 1619 Podcast (free from iHeart radio)
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/326-1619-48877024/

In addition to reading, listening, and exploring the resources in The 1619 Project, educator resources from the National Education Association and the Zinn Education Project may be helpful. You can explore these projects at the links below.

Explore:
NEA EdJustice: The 1619 Project
https://neaedjustice.org/the-1619-project-resource-page/

Zinn Education Project: Teaching with New York Times 1619 Project
https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/teaching-1619-project/

Reflect:
  • What insights did you gain from The 1619 Project?
  • How are our current systems built on slavery and systemic racism?
  • How would you explain systemic racism and its impacts to someone else?

Kimberly Jones, an author and activist, compares systemic racism to playing a rigged game of Monopoly. Watch the video below and consider how the analogy relates to the previous learning about systemic racism. Additionally, think about how the impacts of the beginning of the game continue to impact the rest of the game.

Watch:
How Can We Win? - Kimberly Jones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llci8MVh8J4

Reflect:
  • What did you take away from the ideas presented by Kimberly Jones?
  • How did her analogy help you better understand systemic racism?
  • How will you look for policies and systems that promote racism? How will you respond to these systems?

Systemic racism is typically “hidden” in policies and systems. However, the results of these policies can clearly show disparities. The following Vox article shows systemic racism through nine charts (linked below). Race Forward presents a series of videos that explain conditions related to systemic racism. Building on the articles above and both the charts presented in the Vox article and the videos from Race Forward below to construct an understanding of systemic racism and its impacts. 

Read/View:
The Systemic Racism Black Americans Face, Explained in 9 Charts
https://www.vox.com/2020/6/17/21284527/systemic-racism-black-americans-9-charts-explained

Watch:
What is Systemic Racism?
https://www.raceforward.org/videos/systemic-racism

We can see some consequences of racism in the graphics presented above. However, there are issues that develop due to stress. The following resource explores these physical, health-related impacts of systemic racism.

Read/Watch:
Science Suggests Systemic Racism Causes Stress, Increases Disease Within Black, Brown Communities
https://www.kpbs.org/news/2020/jul/06/science-systemic-racism-causes-stress-disease/

Reflection:
  • How do these resources illustrate the effects of systemic racism?
  • What policies, actions, and societal norms result in these effects?

Learning about and understanding systemic racism leads to the need for responses to and dismantling of the racist systems.  The following resources can help initiate thinking about being antiracist and responding to systemic racism.

Read:
Are You Complicit in Systemic Racism? Here’s How to Change.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnrex/2020/07/15/ive-been-complicit-in-systemic-racism-heres-what-im-doing-to-change/#5623e30a5078

Watch:
Dismantling Systemic Racism Starts in Schools, Educators Say
https://www.wgbh.org/news/education/2020/08/06/dismantling-systemic-racism-starts-in-schools-educators-say

Reflection:
  • How do you or could you respond to systemic racism?
  • What action steps or goals could you set for yourself in response to systemic racism?

The next part will complete the module on understanding race and racism.