Gendered racism is a form of oppression that occurs due to gender. It is perpetuated due to the prevalence of perceptions, stereotypes, and images of certain groups. "Racism" is defined as the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race. Racism functions as a way to distinguish races as inferior or superior to one another. "Sexism" is defined as prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination on the basis of sex. Gendered racism differs in that it pertains specifically to racial and ethnic understandings of masculinity and femininity, as well as along gendered forms of race and ethnic discrimination.