RACISM IS “A CENTURY-OLD SYSTEM INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO EXCLUDE AMERICANS OF COLOR

According to Feagin, Vera and Batur (2001), racism is “a century-old system intentionally designed to exclude Americans of color from full participation in the economy, politics and society” (p.2). The basis of racism is from racial prejudices and racist ideologies (Dovidio, 2000; Feagin, Vera, & Batur, 2001). Racism has been a national issue that plagued the United States throughout its history. Over the last several decades, overt expressions of racism has significantly decreased thanks in part to changing norms and laws prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity or race (Dovidio & Gaertner, 1998; Schuman, Steeh, Bobo & Krysan, 1997). However, racism is still an issue that American society faces today and it can take many forms.