Civil rights laws have not eliminated racial discrimination, nor have they limited it to specific periods in American history. In some industries, where bias still shapes opportunity, wages, and mobility, it is especially ingrained. These industries demonstrate that inequality is structural and remarkably successful at perpetuating itself generation after generation, rather than being purely coincidental.

One of the most obvious examples is still housing. Credit scores are still impacted by redlining maps from the 1930s. Black neighborhood homes are often tens of thousands of dollars less valuable than comparable homes in white neighborhoods. Compared to their White counterparts, minorities had to ask more questions in order to view rental properties, according to a 2014 meta-analysis. Lost wealth is the direct result of this. Despite having millions of dollars, LeBron James has discussed how Black families are frequently excluded from the generational stability that comes with owning a home. The outcome is very evident: once denied, home values continue to have an impact on future generations.

The job market is just as revealing. According to one of the most well-known studies, resumes with names like Emily or Greg got 50% more callbacks than those with names like Lakisha or Jamal. White applicants’ chances were greatly increased more quickly by higher-quality resumes, but Black applicants received little additional advantage. These findings demonstrate the extent to which bias is ingrained in hiring. Although Oprah Winfrey’s story is frequently used as motivation, the truth is that her remarkable ascent is notable because millions of equally talented applicants are turned down before their abilities are even taken into consideration.

Deep disparities are revealed by the healthcare sector, which was established on the promise of healing. Equal treatment could have prevented over 886,000 Black deaths between 1991 and 2000. In pain clinics, White patients with the same symptoms were given half the medication that Black patients received. Even fame, money, and education cannot protect minorities from neglect, as demonstrated by Serena Williams’ near-death experience during childbirth. These incidents highlight a systemic bias that still claims lives; they are not anomalies.

Although education is meant to remove barriers, in reality, it frequently makes them stronger. Compared to school districts with a majority of white students, predominantly minority districts receive $23 billion less in funding annually. Students in underfunded schools frequently experience outdated facilities, fewer extracurricular activities, and harsher disciplinary measures. The effects are not just financial but also psychological. The so-called school-to-prison pipeline is further fueled by the disproportionately high suspension rates of Black and Latino students. Michelle Obama’s advocacy emphasizes the transformative power of education, but it also highlights the fragility of progress in the absence of systemic reform.

Perhaps the area where discrimination is most obvious is the criminal justice system. Black Americans are five times more likely than white Americans to be incarcerated. While the opioid crisis has garnered sympathy and health-focused interventions, Black communities were harshly punished by sentencing disparities during the crack epidemic. Prominent incidents such as the death of George Floyd demonstrate that systemic racism in law enforcement is not just a thing of the past but still exists today. The severity of the issue is also reflected in the voices of artists like Kendrick Lamar, who have transformed this injustice into art by transforming suffering into cultural movements.

Despite being less closely examined, bias still shapes the service and hospitality sectors. Research continuously demonstrates that customer bias results in lower pay, fewer promotions, and smaller tips for workers of color. In a field where structural barriers are remarkably similar to those observed decades ago, chefs like Marcus Samuelsson, who have achieved success and established international reputations, continue to be exceptions. Despite working in fields that value diversity, many workers are unable to advance in their careers due to the wage gap, which is both real and persistent.

Work in trades and construction has a long history of exclusion. Black workers were historically excluded from union membership, which limited their access to safer and higher-paying positions. Minorities still have less access to apprenticeship and advancement opportunities, despite a noticeable improvement in union practices. The agricultural industry tells a similar tale. The USDA routinely refused loans to Black farmers for decades. Millions of dollars in lost generational wealth were discovered in the Pigford v. Glickman case. Numerous Black farming families were deprived of the chance to leave lasting agricultural legacies, and the scars endure despite settlements.

The biases of society are reflected in entertainment and media. African Americans were limited to careers as entertainers, athletes, or criminals for a large portion of the 20th century. Stereotypes were even strengthened by advertising campaigns; in the 1990s, less than 1% of advertisements used African American models. Stars like Denzel Washington and Viola Davis have increased opportunities in the modern era, but they also constantly highlight how few roles are still available to minority actors and directors. Even though representation is getting better, it is still far from equal, and prejudice still determines who gets to tell stories on the biggest stages in America.

The situation is further complicated by politics. Minority communities are disproportionately impacted by voter ID laws and gerrymandering, which limit representation and turnout. African Americans have historically held less than 9% of congressional seats, despite making up more than 13% of the country’s population. Polling station closures in minority neighborhoods make voting logistically challenging, and government reviews have shown that strict ID laws lower minority turnout. The irony is stark: access is still unequally distributed at the core of American democracy.

Racial discrimination is not limited to a single industry, as these trends demonstrate. It is especially prevalent in areas that define American life, such as housing, education, employment, health, justice, culture, and politics. However, these difficulties also present opportunities. Unquestionably, progress is being made, from healthcare leaders reexamining implicit bias to policy reforms addressing gerrymandering. Athletes, celebrities, and regular people are all urging institutions to be more accountable. Although the obstacles are still very great, they are not