Which of the following describes "disparate impact"?

"Disparate impact" refers to a situation where a neutral policy or practice has a disproportionately negative effect on a protected group, even if there was no intention to discriminate. This concept is critical in understanding how seemingly fair rules can lead to inequality when they inadvertently disadvantage specific demographics.

In this context, option B accurately describes disparate impact because it highlights how a policy that appears neutral can still result in adverse outcomes for certain groups. This principle is often invoked in discussions about civil rights and fair housing, where laws and regulations might not explicitly intend to discriminate but create outcomes that negatively affect certain racial or ethnic communities.

The other options address different aspects of discrimination but do not encapsulate the essence of disparate impact. Deliberately treating individuals differently relates more to intentional discrimination, while using race-based factors directly pertains to disparate treatment. Lastly, conforming to demographic trends does not inherently address the impact of policies on specific groups, therefore it does not relate to the concept of disparate impact.