Racism has many layers; that should always be understood. The basic definition of racism is the blatant discrimination, prejudice, and wrongful treatment of people based on the belief that your race is superior to theirs.

Racism is not just brutalizing people through hate speech or physical actions—it also makes itself apparent systemically, through employment processes, unfair banking practices, healthcare, socioeconomic disparities, and the criminal justice system.

Here are the different types of racism as outlined by the National Museum of African American History & Culture:

1. Individual racism​ is the beliefs, viewpoint, and behaviors of individuals that support or maintain racism in both conscious and unconscious ways. Examples include believing in the superiority of white people, not hiring a person of color because “something doesn’t feel right,” or telling a racist joke.
2. Interpersonal racism​ happens between individuals. These are public expressions of microaggressions, often involving slurs, biases, or hateful words or actions.
3. Institutional racism​ is based around and within an organization. These treatments, policies, or practices are discriminatory, unfair, and biased and based on race, giving a better outcome for white people over black people. Although institutional policies may not specify race, their intent is to establish advantages outside of communities of color.
4. Example: A school system where students of color attend more frequently will be underfunded and overcrowded in comparison to schools with predominantly white students.
5. Structural racism​ is the entire system of racial bias that spans through institutions and societies. It allows privileges for white people, while providing extreme disadvantages to people of color.
6. Example: Racial stereotypes that depict people of color as criminals or “thugs” in mainstream movies, media and entertainment.

To not be racist means that somewhere in your humanity you realize that all humans have an equal right to respect and tolerance. When you are not racist, you do not see yourself as better or more deserving of anything in this world because although we are not all the same or share the same experiences, we have the right to be afforded the same access to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”