Race and ethnicity

A social construct

race is not a fixed biological category but a social construct- a system of meaning assigned to physical differences by society, culture and history 

Ethnicity captures

 shard group of characteristics including languages, religion, foodways, family patterns, and historical memory dimension race alone does not capture 

Complexity in practice

encompasses enormously varied cultures,nationalities and experiences, yet are often treated as monolithic in data collection and criminal justice research 

Disparity

measurable differences in outcomes not requiring intent, calls for structural fixes 

Discrimination

differential treatment including systematic patterns like historical exclusion, demands accountability and often both coexist within same institution 

Individual racism

Personal bias that shape decisions and actions towards others by race

Institutional racism

discriminatory policies embedded in institutions that produce unequal outcomes

Structural (systemic) racism

society wide norms and systems that collectively sustain racial inequity