London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

What is the definition of 'systemic racism'?

What is the definition of 'systemic racism'?

Protests have been taking place all over the world in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, who died in police custody after a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for minutes on end during his arrest.
The demonstrations are being held both in memory of George Floyd, and to make a statement against the systemic racism which many people feel is prevalent in society today.

If you’re looking to educate yourself on the matter, here’s what you need to know about the meaning of systemic racism.


What is systemic racism?

Systemic racism, aka institutional racism, is racism on a grand scale – present in political and societal organisations.

It describes when racism becomes so ingrained, it’s seen as ‘normal’.

The term ‘institutional racism’ first came about in 1967 when it was used by Stokely Carmichael and Charles V. Hamilton in Black Power: The Politics of Liberation.

It entered the British vocabulary in the Macpherson report which examined the killing of Stephen Lawrence, who died in 1997 in a racist attack.

The report defined the term as: ‘The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture, or ethnic origin.

‘It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantage minority ethnic people’.

On the Centre for Crime and Justice website, Dr Jules Holroyd, Assistant Philosophy Professor at the University of Nottingham, wrote on the subject of institutional racism: ‘Implicit racial bias isn’t just a matter of “a few bad apples” but rather a matter of widespread automatic and implicit associations that can affect the way even fair minded policies are implemented.’

A paper on Race and Policing in England and Wales published by Runnymede – an independent race equality thinktank – in 2015 said on the subject: ‘Systemic and institutional racism persists in policing despite its recognition in the Macpherson Report more than fifteen years ago.

‘In Britain, black and minority ethnic people are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system at every level, from arrests to stop and search, to imprisonment, to deaths in custody.

‘Successive governments’ counter-terrorism policies have resulted in racial profiling and over-policing of Muslim and Asian communities, and have fed a pervasive Islamophobia now affecting British and other European societies.’

When it comes to what happened to George Floyd, demonstrators believe that his death is yet more proof that systemic racism persists in law enforcement and society as a whole, and many individuals and organisations have spoken out on the matter.

In a powerful statement, ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s wrote: ‘The murder of George Floyd was the result of inhumane police brutality that is perpetuated by a culture of white supremacy,’

The statement went on: ‘What happened to George Floyd was not the result of a bad apple; it was the predictable consequence of a racist and prejudiced system and culture that has treated Black bodies as the enemy from the beginning.’

At a demonstration in Hyde Park, Star Wars actor John Boyega gave a speech saying: ‘I need you to understand how painful this sh*t is. I need you to understand how painful it is to be reminded every day that your race means nothing and that isn’t the case anymore, that was never the case anymore.’
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×