ABSTRACT
The chapter aims to understand the difference between income and wealth as well as the significance of both the racial wage gap and the racial wealth gap. It describes various manifestations of racial economic inequality. The chapter analyses the role of government policies and programs in the creation and perpetuation of racial wealth disparities. Individual effort and ability may play a role a person's economic position, but they are not the only factors that influence economic status. Nor are poverty and wealth random occurrences; instead, they are patterned along racial and gender lines. The chapter explores the persistence of institutional racism and privilege in the economic sphere, which contribute to one's residential options, access to health care, educational opportunities, risk of exposure to environmental toxins, and overall life chances. It also analyzes historic economic inequalities as well as the role of government policies and practices in contributing to racial/ethnic economic disparity.
