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What role do institutions like schools and businesses play in perpetuating institutional racism?

Patric Yapp

Well, buckle up folks, because we're about to delve deep into the dark underbelly of institutional racism! And what better way to do that than by exploring the role of schools and businesses in perpetuating this insidious problem?

First things first, let's define what we mean by institutional racism. It's not just about individuals being racist (although that certainly contributes to it). It's about systems and structures within society that disadvantage certain groups of people based on their race.

Now, onto schools. You might think that schools are supposed to be bastions of equality and fairness, where everyone has an equal shot at success. But unfortunately, that's not always the case. For starters, we have the issue of school funding. Many schools in marginalized communities don't receive the same level of funding as schools in more affluent areas, which means they may not have the same resources, facilities, or quality of education. And who tends to make up the majority of those marginalized communities? People of color. So already we're seeing how schools can perpetuate the cycle of inequality.

Then there's the curriculum itself. Historically, many schools have been guilty of whitewashing history and ignoring the contributions and experiences of people of color. When students are only taught about white European history and literature, it sends the message that other cultures and perspectives aren't as valuable. This can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding for people of different races, which can then manifest into prejudice and discrimination.

But it's not just about what students are taught - it's also about who is doing the teaching. Teachers of color make up a small percentage of the teaching population, and many schools don't do enough to recruit and retain diverse teachers. When students only see white teachers in positions of authority, it can reinforce the idea that white people are the only ones who should be in leadership roles. Plus, teachers are human too - they bring their own biases and prejudices into the classroom, whether they realize it or not.

Now let's talk about businesses. At first glance, it might not seem like businesses could contribute to institutional racism as much as institutions like schools or the criminal justice system. But the truth is, businesses have a lot of power to shape society.

Firstly, let's talk about hiring practices. Studies have shown that people with "ethnic-sounding" names are less likely to get callbacks for job interviews than people with "white-sounding" names, even if they have identical qualifications. This can make it much harder for people of color to break into certain industries or advance in their careers.

Then there's the issue of who businesses cater to. Many products and marketing campaigns are designed specifically to appeal to white people, even if the brand itself claims to be inclusive or diverse. This can further reinforce the idea that whiteness is the default and other races are the "other."

And let's not forget about the pay gap. People of color, particularly women of color, are often paid less than their white counterparts for doing the same job. This can make it harder for them to climb the ladder of success and accumulate wealth over time.

So as you can see, schools and businesses both have a role to play in perpetuating institutional racism. But the good news is, we can all work towards dismantling these systems and creating a more equitable society. Whether it's through advocating for better school funding, diversifying the teaching profession, supporting businesses that prioritize diversity and inclusion, or checking our own biases and prejudices, we can all make a difference. Let's get to work!