What does systemic discrimination refer to?

Systemic discrimination refers to the ways in which systematic patterns of inequality and discriminatory practices are embedded in the policies and procedures of institutions. This concept emphasizes that discrimination is not merely the result of individual actions or beliefs, but rather the result of institutional practices that perpetuate inequality.

By focusing on institutional actions, this understanding recognizes how certain policies can systematically disadvantage specific groups, often without explicit intent to discriminate. For example, a company’s hiring practices might favor individuals from a certain demographic, thereby creating barriers for others based solely on organizational guidelines rather than individual merit.

The other options, while they may describe different forms of discrimination or bias, do not capture the broad and entrenched nature of systemic discrimination. Individual misconduct suggests that discrimination is based solely on personal beliefs, which does not account for the larger institutional frameworks at play. Social attitudes pertain more to societal perceptions rather than actionable policies, and community-based actions may affect individuals but concentrate on a more localized scope rather than the widespread nature encapsulated by systemic discrimination.