Racism can be defined as:

The definition that highlights racism as an individual's prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory behavior towards a given race is accurate because it encapsulates both the cognitive and behavioral aspects of racism. Racism is not just about personal beliefs; it also manifests in actions that disadvantage individuals based on their race. This perspective recognizes that racism operates on both an individual level—encompassing personal biases and stereotypes—and a systemic level, where these biases can lead to discrimination in various societal structures, such as employment, education, and law enforcement.

The other definitions provided do not accurately capture the essence of racism. For example, acceptance of all races as equal contradicts the very notion of racism, while a belief in the superiority of one culture over others, while relevant to understanding ethnocentrism, does not encompass racial dynamics specifically. Lastly, cultural appreciation is a positive recognition of different cultures, which opposes the negative framework of racism. Thus, defining racism as an individual's prejudicial attitudes and discriminatory behavior provides a clear understanding of how it operates in society.