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Everyone is talking about structural racism. It's an important, intimidating, sometimes confusing, and huge topic. Let's get our arms around what it is—and how it's different from behavioral racism.

First, racism. Racism is the belief (whether or not we admit to others or even consciously to ourselves) that groups can be divided based on the superiority of one race over another.

Behavioral racism is when we act on racist beliefs. It appears as telling a racist joke, holding and acting on stereotypes that negatively portray another race, or perpetuate attitudes or beliefs that reinforce beliefs about one or more racial groups. Researchers define structural racism as "the normalization and legitimization of an array of dynamics – historical, cultural, institutional and interpersonal – that routinely advantage whites while producing cumulative and chronic adverse outcomes for people of color. It is a system of hierarchy and inequity, primarily characterized by white...

Dear Colleagues and Friends, 

We are at a moment of reckoning, a reckoning about a history that is built on institutionalized racism and that has benefited those in privilege while disenfranchising Black, Indigenous, and People of Color for hundreds of years. We understand that people with individual and institutional privilege have a responsibility to actively work to end racism and oppression wherever they exist. 

We are deeply impacted by the violent and senseless killing of Black people and stand in strong solidarity against systemic racism, police brutality, and the deep-seated oppression of Black people in the United States. We understand that our community — clients, friends, families — are hurting deeply. This hurt is our hurt, and it must stop. 

To our Black colleagues and friends: We see you, we honor your voices. We are eager to continue to find ways to center your voices--our voices--as we create a more equity-rich world. 

To our clients:...