Diversity
is a hot topic right now. Before you dive into diversity and inclusion
conversations, it’s important to understand the terms and words you use in
these crucial conversations. To help, we’ve provided you with
this glossary of terms.
Access
Creating the necessary conditions so that individuals and
organizations desiring to, and who are eligible to, use services, facilities,
programs and employment opportunities.
Ally
A person of one social identity group who stands up in support
of members of another group, typically a member of dominant identity advocating
and supporting a marginalized group.
Bias
A prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group
compared with another, usually in a way that’s considered to be unfair. Biases
may be held by an individual, group, or institution and can have negative or
positive consequences.
Unconscious bias is an unconscious implicit association, whether
about people, places, or situations, which are often based on mistaken,
inaccurate, or incomplete information and include the personal histories we
bring to the situation.
Culture
The behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that are passed
along by communication and imitation.
Disability
A physical, mental or cognitive impairment or condition that
requires special accommodations to ensure programmatic and physical access.
Diversity
Psychological, physical, and social differences that occur among
any and all individuals; including but not limited to race, color, ethnicity,
nationality, religion, socioeconomic status, veteran status, education, marital
status, language, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual
orientation, mental or physical ability, genetic information and learning
styles. A diverse group, community, or organization is one in which a variety
of social and cultural characteristics exist.
Emotional Tax
The combination of being on guard to protect against bias,
feeling different at work because of gender, race, and/or ethnicity, and the
associated effects on health, well-being, and ability to thrive at work.
Equality
Treating everyone the same way, often while assuming that
everyone also starts out on equal footing or with the same opportunities.
Equity
Working toward fair outcomes for people or groups by treating
them in ways that address their unique advantages or barriers.
Ethnicity
A social construct which divides people into smaller social
groups based on characteristics such as values, behavioral patterns, language,
political and economic interests, history, and ancestral geographical base.
Inclusion
The act of creating involvement, environments and empowerment in
which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported,
and valued to fully participate. An inclusive and welcoming climate with equal
access to opportunities and resources embrace differences and offers respect in
words and actions for all people.
Intersectionality
The intertwining of social identities such as gender, race,
ethnicity, social class, religion, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity,
which can result in unique experiences, opportunities, and barriers.
Marginalization
Treatment of a person, group or concept as insignificant or
pervasive and places them outside of the mainstream society.
Micro aggressions
Intentional or unintentional verbal, nonverbal or environmental
slights/insults that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative messages to
people based upon their marginalized group. Also known as Subtle Acts of
Exclusion (SAE).
Multiculturalism
The practice of acknowledging and respecting the various
cultures, religions, languages, social equity, races, ethnicities, attitudes,
and opinions within an environment.
Neurodiversity
The concept that there is diversity in how people’s brains are
wired and work, and that neurological differences should be valued in the same
way we value any other human variation.
Power
Ability to control, coerce or influence people based on
privilege identities. Power may be positional and provide access to social,
political, and economic resources.
Privilege
Any unearned benefit, right or advantage one receives in society
by nature of their identities.
Race
A social construct that artificially divides people into
distinct groups based on characteristics such as physical appearance, ancestral
heritage, cultural affiliation, cultural history, ethnic classification, and
the political needs of a society at a given period of time.
Ready to talk about diversity and inclusion? Start by knowing
and learning these diversity terms. Then practice, practice, practice. Practice
makes conversations substantially more relaxed and less daunting!
Want to learn more about diversity and inclusion? Let’s share
experiences. Leave a comment below, send us an email, or find me on Twitter.
References
https://www.catalyst.org/2019/05/30/12-diversity-inclusion-terms-you-need-to-know/
https://uh.edu/cdi/diversity_education/resources/pdf/terms.pdf
https://www.diversityresources.com/diversity-terms/
https://diversity.ucsf.edu/resources/unconscious-bias
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