What are systemic disparities?

Systemic disparities are unfair advantages or disadvantages that some people get because of the rules and structures around them.

Imagine you're playing a game with your friends, but one person gets to start with more blocks than everyone else, even though no one told them they could. That’s like systemic disparity in real life: some people have easier paths just because of things like where they live, what school they go to, or even the color of their skin.

Think about a playground. If one side has soft grass and swings, while another side has rocks and no slides, kids on the grassy side will have more fun and might be better at games, not because they're stronger, but because the ground helps them out. That’s systemic disparity in action: some people start with a smoother path, just like that grassy playground.

These unfair starts happen over and over again, in school, jobs, even how much money you get later in life. Sometimes it feels like everyone is playing the same game, but some kids got extra blocks at the beginning. That’s why systemic disparities can stick around for a long time.