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
A lot of Black folks, due to systemic racism and generational trauma, face massive hurdles.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Instead, it’s concentrated in areas with higher rates of poverty, unemployment and low homeownership, which experts have suggested is the long-term result of systemic racism, residential segregation and a lack of access to resources.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Even Tana French’s latest crime novels have featured a cop who retires due to the systemic racism of his previous job.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Poverty and a lack of trust in the police, both of which are more prominent in communities of color, can hinder solving crimes, as can systemic racism, Solinas-Saunders said.
—Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Twenty years ago, the storm devastated New Orleans and exposed the fatal convergence of environmental collapse, systemic racism and government neglect.
—Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
The Lucky Ones centers on Joseph and Mary Tape, immigrants who defied systemic racism in 19th century San Francisco to demand equal rights for their children.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2025
Coming just a few years after many industries and companies loudly proclaimed their commitments to ending systemic racism and creating a more level playing field, the backlash to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is now in full swing.
—Adia Harvey Wingfield, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Yet, like Black Wall Streets, Freedom Colonies faced destruction through systemic racism, land theft, and economic displacement.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 16 Aug. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Instead, it’s concentrated in areas with higher rates of poverty, unemployment and low homeownership, which experts have suggested is the long-term result of systemic racism, residential segregation and a lack of access to resources.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Even Tana French’s latest crime novels have featured a cop who retires due to the systemic racism of his previous job.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Poverty and a lack of trust in the police, both of which are more prominent in communities of color, can hinder solving crimes, as can systemic racism, Solinas-Saunders said.
—Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Twenty years ago, the storm devastated New Orleans and exposed the fatal convergence of environmental collapse, systemic racism and government neglect.
—Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025
The Lucky Ones centers on Joseph and Mary Tape, immigrants who defied systemic racism in 19th century San Francisco to demand equal rights for their children.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2025
Coming just a few years after many industries and companies loudly proclaimed their commitments to ending systemic racism and creating a more level playing field, the backlash to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is now in full swing.
—Adia Harvey Wingfield, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Yet, like Black Wall Streets, Freedom Colonies faced destruction through systemic racism, land theft, and economic displacement.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Systemic racism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/systemic%20racism. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share