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Which is most limiting to the intended target of the oppression: individual or institutional racism?

1) Individual racism
2) Institutional racism

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Institutional racism is often more impactful and limiting to the targets of oppression than individual racism, as it affects large groups through systematic processes within organizations and society.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering which is most limiting to the intended target of oppression, institutional racism is often more impactful than individual racism. Institutional racism refers to discriminatory treatments, unfair policies, and systemic structures within organizations that result in inequitable outcomes for racial minority groups. It operates on a much larger scale, affecting large groups through the systematic distribution of resources, power, and opportunity. This could manifest in various sectors including education, law enforcement, and government, where policies and practices disadvantage people of color. For instance, schools with a majority of students of color often receive fewer resources. Additionally, racial profiling is a common example of institutional racism, as seen in law enforcement disproportionately targeting racial minorities for harsher treatment.

On the other hand, individual or interpersonal racism includes conscious or unconscious prejudice and discrimination executed by individuals in day-to-day interactions. Examples include telling a racist joke or believing in the superiority of one race over another. While harmful, individual racism's scope is generally limited to the reach of personal interactions, whereas institutional racism has broader, systemic impact that can operate independently of individual intentions or actions.

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