Racism, understood as personal animus or feelings of repulsion toward a particular race, is out of fashion. The focus has shifted almost entirely to institutional, structural, or systemic racism. One of the primary ways this form of racism is purportedly identified is by observing inequalities that exist between races. The assumption is that if our policies, laws, and institutions were racially neutral, we would not see such significant disparities correlated with race. Since such inequalities cannot be chalked up to coincidence, the obvious explanation—so the story goes—is discriminatory policies, practices and institutions, many of which are so subversive that they often go unnoticed.
Our goal here is to briefly examine the following claim:
“Inequalities correlated with race are best explained by the biased nature of the systems within our society, and any measure or institution that produces or sustains racial inequality is racist.”
We’ll examine this compound claim in rapid-fire fashion through a succient series of examples. Our conclusion will be that regardless of one’s view of systemic racism in America, systemic racism can’t be established simply by pointing to inequalities correlated with race or to otherwise neutral institutions that perpetuate those inequalities.
Marriage
The institution of marriage is one of the strongest bulwarks against poverty in society. It combines two incomes, provides tax benefits, fosters existential motivation for hard work, and helps build generational wealth. In 2019, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that married householders under 35 had a median net worth 9.2 times higher than unmarried men and 3.1 times higher than unmarried women.[1]
However, the same Census data shows that as of 2021, nearly 54% of the White population was married, compared to just 31.2% of the Black population.[2] In fact, Black Americans are the least married racial group in the U.S. If institutions that promote or sustain racial wealth gaps are racist, then marriage itself is a racist institution—dismantling marriage would significantly help even things out.
Democracy
While the U.S. is a constitutional republic rather than a direct democracy, we still operate within a democratic framework in which the will of the majority is more or less reflected—indirectly but genuinely—in public policy.
Because White Americans make up roughly 60% of the population, a democratic system inevitably grants them more influence and power. On the understanding of racism under consideration, then, democracy itself is a racist form of government (at least in 21st century America).
Capitalism
For similar reasons, capitalism becomes suspect. Since White Americans are the majority, allowing the free market to distribute goods and resources means that Whites will disproportionately shape and benefit from economic outcomes—there are more Whites and collectively, they have more money. On the understanding of racism under consideration, capitalism is a racist economic system (again, at least here and now).
Private Property
The existence of private property allows individuals to accumulate and retain both liquid and non-liquid assets far beyond what is necessary to live. In 2022, the median wealth of White households was around $284,310, while the median wealth of Black households was approximately $44,100.[3] Property laws help sustain income inequality that often correlates with race—inequality that would be drastically reduced if private property were abolished. On the understanding of racism under consideration, private property laws are racist.
Abolishing Capital Gains Tax
Because White Americans have more money invested in the stock market than Black Americans, reducing or eliminating capital gains tax across the board would disproportionately benefit Whites. By the logic we’re examining, such a policy would be racist (this is precisely the argument made by Ibram Kendi[4]).
The NBA
In the 2022–2023 season, approximately 70% of NBA players were Black, despite Black Americans making up just over 14% of the population—a staggering disparity.[5] Should we conclude that the NBA's player-selection system discriminates against non-Black hoopers? What else could explain such a disparity?
NFL Kickers
In 2023, 53.5% of the NFL was Black. However, 95% of the kickers were White! Should we conclude that those responsible for drafting kickers—or the established practices for doing so—discriminate against black athletes? What else could explain such a disparity?
Indian American Incomes
In 2019, Indian Americans, despite representing about 1.5% of the population, had a median family income of $133,130 (among those aged 25 to 55)—far above the White median of $86,400.[6] Should we conclude that, despite regular discrimination against them,[7] US society is structured to favor Indian Americans over Whites, Blacks and Hispanics?
Police Shootings
In 2024, police shot men at 20 times the rate of women.[8] Should we conclude that police departments and practices are systematically sexist? If not, should we conclude that police departments are systematically racist solely on the basis of racial disparities in the use of lethal force? Perhaps there is more to the story.
To be clear, these points do not demonstrate the absence of systemic racism; rather, they demonstrate that in order to be taken seriously, claims of systemic racism cannot be established simply by pointing to racial inequalities and the otherwise neutral structures that allow them to persist. Patterned inequalities do not by themselves entail corruption. We should not dismiss the possibility that racism still exists in our societal structures. Where we find it, we should oppose it and seek justice for those affected by it. But we should not assume that it lurks like a ghost under every societal rock and tree on the basis of facile, one-note explanations and knee-jerk reactions enslaved by the cultural zeitgeist.
To do so is to stop thinking seriously—something we simply cannot afford to do.
Endnotes
[2] https://jbhe.com/2022/11/the-significant-racial-gap-in-marriage-rates-in-the-united-states/#:~:text=GapResearch%20&%20Studies-,The%20Significant%20Racial%20Gap%20in%20Marriage%20Rates%20in%20the%20United,be%20a%20widow%20or%20widower
[3] https://ncrc.org/the-racial-wealth-gap-1992-to-2022/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20the%20median%20White%20household%20held,households%20have%20a%20wealth%20gap%20of%2078%25.
[4] https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ibram-x-kendi-wants-to-redefine-racism/id1081584611?i=1000452609664
[5] https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38156961/nba-grade-racial-gender-hiring-practices
[6] https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2021/12/16/22838432/is-the-american-dream-dead-not-for-indian-americans-parag-agrawal-sundar-pichai-marriage-tech/
[7] https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2021/06/social-realities-of-indian-americans-results-from-the-2020-indian-american-attitudes-survey?lang=en
[8] https://www.statista.com/statistics/585149/people-shot-to-death-by-us-police-by-gender/