Diversity and Inclusion: Glossary of Terms
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/
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