What term describes internalized biases and prejudices based on race?

The term that aptly describes internalized biases and prejudices based on race is individual racism. Individual racism refers to personal beliefs, attitudes, and actions that reflect prejudice against individuals or groups based on their race. This can manifest in various ways, including discriminatory remarks, avoidance of certain racial groups, or holding stereotypes about people based solely on their racial background.

Understanding this term is crucial as it highlights the personal nature of these biases, distinct from broader societal or institutional contexts. While structural and systemic racism consist of institutional policies and practices that perpetuate racial inequalities, individual racism focuses on the individual’s internal thought processes and behaviors. Cultural racism, on the other hand, emphasizes how cultural narratives and values can promote racial hierarchies but doesn’t directly address personal biases in the same way individual racism does.