systemic racism
noun
: the oppression of a racial group to the advantage of another as perpetuated by inequity within interconnected systems (such as political, economic, and social systems)
especially
: white supremacy sense 2
Systemic racism is a machine that runs whether we pull the levers or not, and by just letting it be, we are responsible for what it produces. We have to actually dismantle the machine if we want to make change. —
Ijeoma Oluo
Ijeoma Oluo … systemic racism is far more than a matter of racial prejudice and individual bigotry. It is a material, social, and ideological reality that is well-imbedded in major U.S. institutions. —Joe R. Feagin
Joe R. Feagin Arguably, the seminal civil rights issue of our time is the systemic racism permeating the criminal "justice" system. The Black Lives Matter movement has brought to national attention the fact that people of color are disproportionately targeted by police stops, arrests, and police violence. —Leah Penniman
Leah Penniman Our nation faces a fork in the road and a decision to either continue down the same path of systemic racism or to confront our past honestly. —Bree Newsome
Bree Newsome Doing away with the Senate filibuster would not, of course, mean the end of systemic racism. But it would make anti-racist policies far easier to pass than they are today, and it would help dismantle both the legacy and machinery of Jim Crow. —David Litt
David Litt Many Black homeowners have reported that their homes are being valued at far less—sometimes $500,000 less—when appraisers know that the homeowners are Black. This means untold millions have disappeared from the Black community. This is systemic racism at work … —Touré
Touré
systemically racist
adjective
The film also shows how systemically racist rules like redlining continue to benefit one set of descendants while slowly destroying another.
—Odie Henderson
Odie Henderson
Examples of systemic racism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, when an organisation like BAFTA, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the Black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
Slickly made with an eye for entertainment, the film is bolstered by the odd-couple energy of its two leads, while also delving into potent themes such as corporate greed and systemic racism.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
The challenges of modern systemic racism and economic inequality have become too complex for a single leader to solve.
—Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
This data point is often weaponized by traditionalists, boxing our families into voiceless tropes that ignore systemic racism, which has plagued the Black community since the dawn of slavery.
—Ashley Simpo, Parents, 30 Jan. 2026
The documentary explores the systemic racism that many communities are experiencing today and the power of redemption, accountability, and healing for an entire community of disenfranchised people.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But Black mothers are far more likely to die from complications of childbirth than other races, a multi-causal issue attributed to systemic racism, implicit biases and care disparities.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Experts say systemic racism and implicit bias from health care providers are among the factors that exacerbate this disparity, contributing to delays in care or symptoms being dismissed.
—Bracey Harris, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
Its works not only suggest strategies for housing the destitute but also convey an understanding of the forces (authoritarianism, corporate greed, systemic racism, and the co-option of modernism) that have conspired against São Paulo—and Los Angeles.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
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Alex Ritman, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
Slickly made with an eye for entertainment, the film is bolstered by the odd-couple energy of its two leads, while also delving into potent themes such as corporate greed and systemic racism.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
The challenges of modern systemic racism and economic inequality have become too complex for a single leader to solve.
—Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
This data point is often weaponized by traditionalists, boxing our families into voiceless tropes that ignore systemic racism, which has plagued the Black community since the dawn of slavery.
—Ashley Simpo, Parents, 30 Jan. 2026
The documentary explores the systemic racism that many communities are experiencing today and the power of redemption, accountability, and healing for an entire community of disenfranchised people.
—Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But Black mothers are far more likely to die from complications of childbirth than other races, a multi-causal issue attributed to systemic racism, implicit biases and care disparities.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Experts say systemic racism and implicit bias from health care providers are among the factors that exacerbate this disparity, contributing to delays in care or symptoms being dismissed.
—Bracey Harris, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
Its works not only suggest strategies for housing the destitute but also convey an understanding of the forces (authoritarianism, corporate greed, systemic racism, and the co-option of modernism) that have conspired against São Paulo—and Los Angeles.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Systemic racism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/systemic%20racism. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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