The United States is multicultural because its population consists of people from many different cultures. Its Supreme Court victory in the Brown v. Board of Education decision mandated school desegregation. It was often used in the South to prevent African-Americans from voting. The 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1964, barred the poll tax in federal elections. Prejudicial thinking is based on stereotypes.
Racism can be personal or institutional.
Personal racism occurs when a person's skin color is the basis for how others perceive him or her. Institutional racism is racial prejudice or discrimination supported by power and authority and used to the advantage of one race over others, as with differential treatment by police or security guards. Scapegoating is blaming another person or group for problems in society because of that person's group identity. Prejudicial thinking and discriminatory acts can lead to scapegoating. Members of the disliked group are denied employment, housing, political rights, social privileges or a combination of these.