Racism is an issue that has been present for centuries, but only recently have sociologists begun to study it more closely. In sociology, racism refers to the beliefs and practices of one group towards another based on race or ethnicity. This includes both individual behavior as well as institutionalized systems of oppression such as segregation, discrimination, and exclusion. The goal of this article is to provide a brief overview of how racism manifests itself in society today, from a sociological perspective.

One way that racism can be seen within society is through micro aggressions: subtle acts or comments made by members of one racial or ethnic group toward another that often go unnoticed due to their seemingly innocuous nature. Microaggressions include things like making assumptions about someone's background based on their appearance; using stereotypes when talking about people who are different than you; making jokes at someone else's expense; treating certain groups differently because they "don't fit in" with what's considered normal; ignoring or belittling experiences shared by those from minority backgrounds, etc. All these behaviors may seem minor individually, but taken together, they create an atmosphere where individuals from marginalized communities feel unwelcome and excluded, ultimately reinforcing oppressive power dynamics between dominant and subordinated groups.

Another major manifestation of racism occurs through structural inequality, i.e., the unequal distribution of resources among different racial and ethnic populations due to social policies implemented over time that disadvantage certain groups while benefiting others (often unintentionally). For example, the practice known as redlining was used during mid-20th century America, whereby banks would deny loans or insurance coverage for housing located within predominantly African American neighborhoods regardless of whether applicants were otherwise qualified, leading many Black families into poverty while white families gained access to better opportunities via homeownership, etc. As such examples illustrate, institutional structures are inherently shaped by ideologies that favor some while disadvantaging others along lines related not just to race but also class, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, ability status, etc.; all aspects are integral parts of shaping our experience of living within larger societies. 

To combat issues arising out of systemic injustice, various initiatives have emerged over time, including affirmative action programs aimed at providing equal employment opportunity regardless of background, encouraging diversity in the workplace, creating public policy designed to promote equity inclusion, tackling police brutality, increasing representation of underrepresented minorities, and media outlets examining their own biases. Other ways include attempting to hire workforces that reflect true demographics rather than relying largely upon the majority population; methods challenging existing power structures help move closer towards greater justice and equality overall. While progress still needs much ground covered, understanding the key role played by sociology in furthering the conversation surrounding racist attitudes and actions is essential to continuing to push forward positive change for future generations.