What is an example of systemic discrimination?

Systemic discrimination refers to policies, practices, or norms within an organization or society that result in unequal treatment of individuals based on various characteristics, such as race. The correct choice illustrates this concept through the example of a company's hiring policies that inadvertently disadvantage certain races. These policies may not be explicitly discriminatory, but their outcomes can create barriers for certain groups, leading to a lack of diversity and equal opportunity in the hiring process.

In contrast, the other options illustrate different situations. An individual refusing to hire someone based on race is an example of direct discrimination at the individual level and does not capture the systemic nature. A casual conversation where a person expresses a biased opinion may reflect personal prejudices but does not account for the broader systematic practices that perpetuate inequality. General societal acceptance of racial diversity indicates a positive shift but does not represent systemic discrimination. Thus, the example of hiring policies highlights how systems can perpetuate discrimination, even without overt intent.