Cultural Diversity - Discrimination

<< The Parekh Report

<Contents>

Cultural Racism >>

Cultural Diversity - Discrimination and Anti-discriminatory Practice (4)

Institutional racism

The Macpherson Inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence defined institutional racism thus:

‘The collective failure of an organisation to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their colour, culture or ethnic origin. It can be seen or detected in processes, attitudes and behaviour which amount to discrimination through unwitting prejudice, ignorance, thoughtlessness and racist stereotyping which disadvantages ethnic minority people.

[Racism] persists because of the failure of the organisation openly and adequately to recognise and address its existence and cause by policy, example and leadership. Without recognition and action to eliminate, such racism can prevail as part of the ethos or culture of the organisation. It is a corrosive disease.'

Macpherson, (1999), p.28, para. 6.34

The report also emphasised that this concept was one relevant to all bodies (e.g. the NHS): ‘Racism, institutional or otherwise, is not the prerogative of the Police Service. It is clear that other agencies including for example those dealing with housing and education also suffer from the disease. If racism is to be eradicated there must be specific and co-ordinated action both within the agencies themselves and by society at large, particularly through the educational system, from pre-primary school upwards and onwards.’ (Macpherson , 1999, p.33, para. 6.54).

Institutional racism is linked to organisations where there is racism in relation to policies, procedures and practices. Institutional racism in British institutions such as the NHS, police forces and other organisations is now more explicitly recognised and acknowledged as the first step in eliminating such racism. The Department of Health has taken positive measures in recent years to address the important issues. Alexander (1999) reported on the race equality agenda of the Department of Health, and the Vital Connection (2000) has outlined the equalities framework for the NHS.

<< The Parekh Report

<Contents>

Cultural Racism >>