What is meant by systemic discrimination?

Systemic discrimination refers to the ingrained patterns within an institution or organization that create and maintain disadvantages for marginalized groups. This type of discrimination is often not the result of individual overt acts of bias but rather the outcome of established policies, practices, and norms that systematically uphold inequalities.

For example, a company's hiring practices may disproportionately favor certain demographics due to criteria that are biased against others, even if the hiring managers themselves are not consciously prejudiced. This reflects how systemic discrimination operates beneath the surface of individual actions, shaping the experiences and opportunities of different groups over time.

Recognizing systemic discrimination is essential for understanding how social structures can perpetuate inequality, as it highlights the need for comprehensive changes in policies and practices rather than just addressing individual biases.