The Evaluation of Systemic Racism and its Present-Day Integration in Society

Rinku Sen, executive director of Race Forward, defines "systemic racism," which is also known as "institutional racism," as "a form of racism that is embedded as the normal practice within society or standard operating procedures within an organization." This paper combines theory and practice by showing the relationship between systemic racism and the effects it has on the lives of real people around the world. Further, by examining racism through a historical lens and its impact on Europe, the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America, it will become clear that systemic racism is a global phenomenon best understood through the transdisciplinary approach of global studies. Two cases will be used to illustrate specific effects of systemic racism in the world: health care and policing. Relatedly, these cases showcase how systemic racism impacts its victims, primarily ethnic minorities and the new poor. Because systemic racism is often overlooked or denied by those who do not themselves feel victimized by it, this paper uses a transdisciplinary approach to make it visible. Especially relevant to this project will be sociology, global history, political science, and criminal justice literatures.