Glossary
The list below includes some terms that are commonly used in spaces of social justice or progressive reform. Some of these terms will be explored more deeply in longer posts, and others will be referred to in our writings. This is not a comprehensive list, but it is a starting point that will be updated as we continue to learn the language necessary to be as inclusive as possible.
Abelism
discrimination and oppression of disabled people; societal belief that being abled is “normal” and is preferred.
More information: https://drc.arizona.edu/cultural-center/ableism-101-part-one-what-ableism-what-disability
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Accessibility
means that people can do what they need to do in a similar amount of time and effort as someone that does not have a disability. It means
that people are empowered, can be independent, and will not be frustrated by something that is poorly designed or implemented.This
includes making services available to people of lower socioeconomic means.
Source & More Information: https://accessibility.blog.gov.uk/2016/05/16/what-we-mean-when-we-talk-about-accessibility-2/
African American vs. Black
African American is often used to refer to all Black people, however some people do not identify as African
American because they cannot trace their immediate ancestry to Africa or to a specific part of Africa, often due
to the forced removal by slavery. In addition, Black is a more inclusive term for people of Caribbean or AfroLatinx
descent.
Source & More Information: https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/black-history/black-vs-african-american-the-complex-conversation-black-americans-are-having-about-identity-fortheculture/65-80dde243-23be-4cfb-9b0f-bf5898bcf069
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Affirmative Action
Action taken by a government or private institution to make up for past discrimination in education, work, or
promotion on the basis of age, birth, color, creed, nationality, ethnic origin, physical or mental ability, familial
status, gender, language, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
More Information: https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/what-is-affirmative-action-and-why-was-it-created-31524
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Agency
The ability to act independently and make free choices; the ability to make conscious decisions for oneself.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Allyship
An active verb; leveraging personal positions of power and privilege to fight oppression by respecting, working
with, and empowering marginalized voices and communities; using one’s own voice to project others’, less
represented, voices but making sure to NOT speak over marginalized voices when they are given the opportunity.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
More Information: https://guidetoallyship.com/
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Anti-racism
The practice of identifying, challenging, and changing the values, structures and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism; it is an
active way of seeing and being in the world, in order to transform it.
Source/More Information: http://www.aclrc.com/antiracism-defined
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Anti-black racism
Prejudice, attitudes, beliefs, stereotyping or discrimination that is directed at people of African descent and is rooted in their unique
history and experience of enslavement and colonization. Anti-Black racism is deeply embedded in Canadian institutions, policies and
practices, to the point that it becomes a part of our systems.
Source/More information: https://nj.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/confronting-anti-black-racism/#.XuwKMYjYq3A
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BIPOC
“Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.” - “unique relationship to whiteness that Indigenous and Black (African Americans) people have,
which shapes the experiences of and relationship to white supremacy for all people of color within a United States context.”
Source: https://www.rd.com/culture/what-does-bipoc-stand-for/
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Bias
an inclination of preference, especially one that interferes with impartial judgment.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Black Lives Matter
A movement founded by Black & trans women to bring awareness to racial violence and police brutality in a
nonviolent manner. People often misinterpret the movement, often believing that supporters think that ONLY
Black lives matter or that Black lives matter More than those of other races. From the words of our very own,
Jakada, "we take time every year to raise awareness for breast cancer during breast cancer awareness month.
During that month, nobody claims that breast cancer matters more than any other type of cancer; we just give a
little bit of extra attention to this specific type of cancer to raise awareness. Similarly, Black Lives Matter is
founded on the principle of inclusion and raises awareness of historical issues that have oppressed Black lives for
over 400 years."
More Information: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a27075028/black-lives-matter-explained/
Bystander
a person who observes a conflict or unacceptable behavior and does not intervene. An ACTIVE bystander takes steps that
can make a difference. He/she evaluates options and assesses a situation to determine what kind of help is needed.
Source: http://web.mit.edu/bystanders/definition/index.html
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Cisgenderism
a socially constructed assumption that everyone’s gender matches their biological sex, and that that is the norm
from which all other gender identities deviate.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Classism
any attitude or institutional practice which subordinates people of a certain socioeconomic class due to income,
occupation, education, and/or their economic status; a system that works to keep certain communities within a
set socioeconomic class and prevents social and economic mobility.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Code-Switching
the conscious or unconscious act of ‘switching’ between two languages, dialects, or intonations depending on
the specific situation of who one is speaking to, what is being discussed, and the relationship and power and/or
community dynamics between those involved.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
More Information: https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2013/04/13/177126294/five-reasons-why-people-code-switch
Check out the podcast Code Switch by NPR!
Colonialism
the exploitative historical, political, social, and economic system established when one group or force takes
control over a colonized territory or group; the unequal relationship between colonizer and the colonized.
Modern forms of colonialism can be witnessed through world views and foreign relations upheld by developed
countries against developing countries.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
More Information: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/colonialism-explained
Colorism
discrimination based on the color of one's skin (can occur within the black community & amongst other races).
More Information: https://time.com/4512430/colorism-in-america/
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Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Appreciation
Cultural appropriation is the act of members of dominant/powerful/privileged groups claiming ownership of, or
the rights to, less powerful/privileged groups' cultural and/or religious symbols, dress, and ceremonies. This
often comes at the expense of the marginalized group and creates a profit for the already privileged group.
There is a fine line that separates appropriation from appreciation. Appreciation aims to honor and celebrate the
original culture by giving credit to the creator.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
More Information: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1193&context=gj_etds
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Disability
being differently abled (physically, mentally, emotionally) from that which society has structured to be the norm in
such a way so that the person is unable to move, or has difficulty moving—physically, socially, economically—
through life.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Disenfranchised
being deprived of power and/or access to rights, opportunities, and services.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Double Consciousness
Du Bois' concept: to be constantly aware of white contempt for your black self. “It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this
sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused
contempt and pity,” - W. E. B. Du Bois
Source/More Information: https://www.ajc.com/news/black-double-consciousness-bois-century-plus-concept-still-valid/s9AL4esocCSXE3ULTvle9J/
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Equity vs. Equality
equity is the situation in which all people or groups are given access to the correct number and types of resources
for them so as to achieve equal results; differs from equality, which focuses on the equal distribution of resources
rather than equal results.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Feminism
the pursuit of the social, economic, and political equality of all people, regardless of sex, gender, sexuality, race, geographical location, body size, socioeconomic status, physical and mental ability, and religion. Commonly incorrectly thought to be a movement only for
women's rights.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Gender/Gender Identity
Gender is the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and characteristics that a given society commonly
incorrectly confines to being ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’; not defined by one’s biological sex. Gender Identity is a
person’s individual and subjective sense of their own gender; gender identities exist in a spectrum, and are not
just the masculine and feminine binary.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Gentrification
demographic shifts that usually occur in big cities in which upper-middle class and/or racially privileged
individuals and businesses move into historically working class and poor and/or racially oppressed neighborhoods
and communities
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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"I don't see color"
A harmful phrase employed by those who believe in "colorblindness", which refers to the disregard of racial
characteristics. People who employ colorblindness mistakenly believe that treating people equally inherently
leads to a more equal society and/or that racism and race privilege no longer exercise the power they once did.
This however, ignores the multilayered, historical, and ever-present inherent biases, structures, and systems that
unfortunately are not erased by an individual's actions. Employing this phrase often also ignores the positives of
embracing one's racial and ethnic identity.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Identity
who you are, the way you think about yourself, the way you are viewed by the world and the characteristics that define you.
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Inclusion
allowing everyone to feel involved and empowered, and the worth and dignity of ALL people are recognized and appreciated. Promotes
and sustains and sense of belonging.
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Institutional Oppression/Racism
the systematic mistreatment and dehumanization of any individual based solely on a social identity group with
which they identify that is supported and enforced by society and its institutions; based on the belief that people
of such a social identity group are inherently inferior. An institution is an established law or accepted norm.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
More Information: https://fpg.unc.edu/sites/fpg.unc.edu/files/resources/other-resources/What%20Racism%20Looks%20Like.pdf
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Intersectionality
Coined by black feminist Kimberle Crenshaw, intersectionality refers to the intersection of race, class, gender, and
ability identities within each individual that informs how one views, discusses, and navigates through the world
the way each of us views and discusses the world
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
More Information: https://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/mapping-margins.pdf
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Jim Crow
a formal, codified system of racial apartheid that dominated the American South for three quarters of a century beginning in the 1890s.
The laws affected almost every aspect of daily life, mandating segregation of schools, parks, libraries, drinking fountains, restrooms, buses,
trains, and restaurants. "Whites Only" and "Colored" signs were constant reminders of the enforced racial order. In legal theory, blacks
received "separate but equal" treatment under the law — in actuality, public facilities for blacks were nearly always inferior to those for
whites, when they existed at all.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/freedom-riders-jim-crow-laws/
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Justice
the establishment or determination of rights according to rules of law and standards of equity.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Latinx
a gender-neutral neologism, sometimes used instead of Latino or Latina to refer to people of Latin American cultural or ethnic identity
in the United States.
Source/More Information: https://time.com/5191804/latinx-definition-meaning-latino-hispanic-gender-neutral/
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LGBTTQQIA
the umbrella community of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, two-spirited, queer,
questioning, intersex, and/or asexual.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Make Space/Take up space
when we talk about wanting to bring "equality" or "justice" to a system, that means having to disrupt the system and personal biases in order to "make space" for those uncomfortable conversations.
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Marginalized
a person/group who is treated as unimportant, and/or insignificant in comparison to another group.
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Microaggression
brief and common daily verbal, behavioral, and environmental communications, whether intentional or unintentional, that transmit hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to a target person because they belong to a stigmatized group. Sometimes it's an insult, other times it's an errant comment or gesture.
Source/More Information: https://www.npr.org/2020/06/08/872371063/microaggressions-are-a-big-deal-how-to-talk-them-out-and-when-to-walk-away
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Model Minority
A model minority is a minority demographic whose members are perceived to achieve a higher degree of socioeconomic success than the population average, thus serving as a reference group to outgroups.
"The model minority argument often privileges generalizations based on surface-level analysis at the expense of more-refined and nuanced investigation."
Source/More Information: https://thepractice.law.harvard.edu/article/the-model-minority-myth/
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Nonviolence
the use of peaceful means, not force, to bring about political or social change.
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People of Color
An umbrella term for any person or peoples that is considered by the society in which they live to be non-white.
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Prejudice
A preconceived, often unconscious, judgement or opinion about a person or group; usually a negative bias.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Privilege/White Privilege
Privilege is the benefit, advantage, or favor granted to individuals or communities by unequal social structures and institutions.
White privilege is the right or advantage provided to people who are considered white; an exemption of social, politics, and/or economic burdens placed on non-white people; benefitting from societal structuring that prioritizes white people and whiteness.
Source: https://www.lclark.edu/live/files/18474-abcs-of-social-justice
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Race
A socially constructed phenomenon, based on the erroneous that physical differences such as skin color, hair color and texture, and facial (or physical) features are related to intellectual, moral or cultural superiority.
Source: http://www.aclrc.com/race
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Racism
Discrimination and unfair treatment based on assumptions about another person's or group's skin color.
Source: http://www.aclrc.com/race
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Reclaim the narrative
to (re)take control of how a story is told about you or a group you are part of and not let the dominant culture or some "authority" be
the one who controls it
Source: https://www.reclaim.philadelphia.org/blog/2019/2/11/what-is-a-dominant-narrative
https://ell.stackexchange.com/questions/180500/meaning-of-reclaiming-the-
narrative/180507#:~:text=So%2C%20%22reclaim%20a%20narrative%22,the%20one%20who%20controls%20it.
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Redlining
A form of lending discrimination through which for decades, many banks in the U.S. denied mortgages to people, mostly people of color in
urban areas, preventing them from buying a home in certain neighborhoods or getting a loan to renovate their house. The practice — once
backed by the U.S. government — started in the 1930s and took place across the country. As part of that practice, financial firms, real
estate agents and other parties demarcated geographic areas that were effectively off limits for issuing loans. Using red ink, lenders
outlined on paper maps the parts of a city that were considered at high risk of default, as well as more desirable neighborhoods for
approving a loan. Riskier neighborhoods were predominantly black and Latino.
Source/More Information: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/redlining-what-is-history-mike-bloomberg-comments/
Representation
how media texts deal with and present gender, age, ethnicity, national and regional identity, social issues and events to an
audience. Media texts have the power to shape an audience’s knowledge and understanding about these important topics.
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9fx39q/revision/1
More Information: https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/05/22/why-is-equal-representation-in-media-important/#447ade702a84
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Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior. It is best accomplished through
cooperative processes that allow all willing stakeholders to meet, although other approaches are available when that is impossible. This can
lead to transformation of people, relationships and communities.
Source: http://restorativejustice.org/restorative-justice/about-restorative-justice/tutorial-intro-to-restorative-justice/lesson-1-what-is-
restorative-justice/#sthash.9qsIVYBG.dpbs
More Information: http://restorativejustice.org/#sthash.gPpPnK32.dpbs
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Retributive Justice
Our current justice system is based in retributive justice, a philosophy based in punishment rather than rehabilitation. involves the
imposition of an appropriate sanction or punishment for violation of the penal law. The state through prosecution before a judge must
establish the guilt of a person for violation of the law. Following the determination of guilt, a judge imposes the appropriate sentence,
which can include a fine, incarceration, and, in extreme cases, a penalty of death
Source: https://digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1889&context=sjsj
More Information: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/justice-retributive/
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Savior Complex
Rests on the belief that a marginalized group needs to be "saved" by someone that society deems to be more powerful or
dominant. For example, people of color need white people to save them, or women need men to save them.
Source: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/hollywoods-white-savior-obsession-colonialism
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Silencing
The act of dismissing or preventing one from speaking thoughts/ideas, whether consciously or unconsciously, by speaking over,
intimidating, or physically preventing speech.This often occurs in situations of power dynamics and cases of sexual assault.
Source: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/feminism-language/
Social Justice
the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities.
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Equal rights
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Equal opportunity
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Equal treatment
More Information: https://www.sdfoundation.org/news-events/sdf-news/what-is-social-justice/
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