Racism has marked the U.S. throughout its entire history, from Colonial times to today. At its core, it refers to the systemic advantage given to some groups–mainly White Americans–while disadvantaging others based on race.
It’s been reflected in laws, practices, and norms, contributing to discrimination in citizenship, criminal justice, housing, healthcare, and other areas. All of this has built a challenging system of inequality and injustices. As noted by Human Rights Watch, the U.S. has not yet fully lived up to its ideals of equality for all.