The differences between defacto and dejure discrimination is dejure discrimination is any discrimination or unequal treatment of two groups that is based on statutory law and sanctioned by the government in place at the time. A great example of de jure discrimination would be the Jim Crow laws of the segregated south after the Civil War which lasted up to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These laws put in place two separate but unequal societies in the south, which allowed the white power structure
to somewhat defeat the black population of the confederacy. Defacto discrimination is conducted below the surface of legal activity, and is more systematic. It involves preventing one group from receiving equal protection of the law, as required by the 14th Amendment in the US constitution by way of secretive and institutionalized maltreatment of a minority group. Discrimination in housing, jobs, and education that goes undetected in the courts counts as de facto discrimination.
Conflict and functionalist perspective explain racial prejudice because for example in conflict theory perspective of U.S. history would examine the numerous past and current struggles between the white ruling class and racial and ethnic minorities. They would note specific conflicts that have arisen when the dominant group perceived a threat from the minority group. Regarding functionalism, we would have to evaluate and discuss the way racism can contribute positively to the functioning of society by strengthening bonds between in-groups members through the out-group members. We can consider and test how a community might increase solidarity by refusing to allow outsiders access.