How is Institutional Racism Defined?
Institutional racism can be basically defined as: Organisational structures, policies, processes and practices that result in some people being treated unfairly and less equally than others, often without intention or knowledge because of their ethnicity, skin colour, culture, religion, nationality or language. Although, in principle, institutional racism can occur anywhere, in Britain it is the organisational power of, usually, white people, combined with often unconscious prejudice, that results in detrimental, unfair and differential treatment and biased decision-making. The effects would be the same (that is, institutionally racist) if the power lay in the hands of black people. There is nothing specific about white people and racism / institutional racism – it is just the different historical and socio-economic implications that determine who is powerful. It is critical that whoever has the power gives consideration to the potential for negative outcomes and takes appropriate acti