They taught you racism is about individual hatred — slurs, violence, or bad behavior.
But they didn’t teach you about systems — the deeper forces that shape inequality through policy, institutions, and unconscious design.
Let’s break down what they don’t teach you:
Systemic racism isn’t always visible — but it’s embedded everywhere.

WHAT THEY DON’T TEACH YOU:

1. Systemic Racism Isn’t About Feelings — It’s About Power

You can have “nice people” in a system that still produces racist outcomes.
It’s not about whether individuals are mean — it’s about whether structures are fair.

It’s not about hate — it’s about how resources and rights are distributed.

2. It’s Built Into Institutions — Not Just Incidents

Systemic racism shows up in:

• Housing laws

• School funding

• Hiring practices

• Police systems

• Healthcare access

You don’t need a racist person — if the system itself is unequal by design.

3. The System Was Designed This Way — It’s Not Broken

Many systems were built to:

• Exclude Black and Indigenous people

• Enrich white landowners

• Preserve social hierarchies

Systemic racism isn’t accidental — it’s architectural.

4. “Colorblindness” Doesn’t Solve the Problem — It Hides It

Saying “I don’t see color” ignores how color affects access to opportunity, justice, and safety.

You must see color — to see inequality, injustice, and humanity.

5. Racism Evolves — It Doesn’t Always Wear a Hood

It now looks like:

• “Cultural fit” in job interviews

• Schools in poor Black neighborhoods receiving less funding

• Media that criminalizes Black victims

Modern racism is subtle, coded, and systemic — not always loud and obvious.

6. Privilege Isn’t Just About Wealth — It’s About Access

If you’ve never had to:

• Worry about police pulling you over

• Prove your worth in a boardroom

• Fight stereotypes at every level
  Then you’re experiencing unearned ease — also known as privilege.

Privilege doesn’t mean your life is easy — it means your skin isn’t an obstacle.

7. Silence Supports the System

You don’t have to say the N-word to participate in racism.
Being passive, ignoring injustice, or “staying neutral” allows it to continue.

Not choosing a side is a choice — and the system depends on your silence.

8. It Won’t Fix Itself — It Takes Intentional Action

Change comes when people:

• Acknowledge the truth

• Educate themselves and others

• Challenge unfair systems

• Amplify Black and marginalized voices

Awareness is the start — action is the work.

SYSTEMIC RACISM CHECK-IN:

•  Have I examined how I benefit or suffer from current systems?

•  Do I speak up when I see injustice — even if it’s uncomfortable?

•  Am I listening to those affected — not just assuming I understand?

•  Am I supporting anti-racist policies, not just ideas?

•  Am I learning history from all perspectives — not just the mainstream version?

FINAL THOUGHT:

They didn’t teach you about systemic racism — because confronting it means challenging the status quo.
But now you know:
Racism isn’t just a personal flaw — it’s a societal structure.
And you have the power to expose, unlearn, and dismantle it — piece by piece.

Justice starts with awareness — but it ends with action.