racially

Racially is an adverb derived from the adjective racial. It describes actions, policies, conditions, or phenomena that relate to race or that are influenced by racial classifications. In English, racially often appears in phrases such as racially biased, racially motivated, racially segregated, or racially discriminatory, and it is common in discussions of racism, civil rights, and demographic analysis.

Etymology and usage: The base adjective racial comes from race, with the -al suffix forming an adjective and -ly forming the adverb racially. The term is widely used in social science, journalism, and public policy to signal that a feature is tied to racial categorization. Because many scholars regard race as a social construct, racially framed statements can highlight social processes of racialization and structural inequities rather than implying inherent differences.

Usage notes: Racially is a value-laden term and can reinforce problematic assumptions if applied imprecisely. Writers should distinguish between outcomes that are associated with race due to systemic racism and those that result from other factors such as ethnicity, culture, or socioeconomic status. When used to describe policies or crimes, racially can help specify a motive or impact, but it should not substitute for careful evidence and context. See also related concepts such as racialization, racial discrimination, and ethnicity.