Community & Belonging

Community & Belonging

Definitions

Ableism - is the discrimination of individuals with a disability in favor of able-bodied people. 

Ally - is someone from a non-marginalized group who uses their privilege to advocate for a marginalized group.

Anti-racism - the work of actively opposing racism by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life.

Anti-racist - someone who is supporting an anti-racist policy through their actions or expressing anti-racist ideas.

Asexual, or ace - is an individual who experiences little to no sexual attraction for another individual.

Bisexual, or bi - is an individual who is attracted to those of their gender, as well as individuals of the opposite gender. Traditionally this applies to the male/female sex. 

Cisgender, or cis - is a term used to describe an individual whose gender identity aligns with those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth.

Cultural competence - is the ability to communicate, understand, and interact with people from various cultural backgrounds. It is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and policies which must come together in order for professionals to flourish in any cross-cultural system. Often, these skills must be learned and actively pursued as new cultures are introduced in any setting.

Culture - is comprised of the customs, characteristics, arts, social interactions, skills, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social groups.

Diversity - is the state of being diverse; having a great variety.

Equity - seeks to ensure fair treatment, equality of opportunity, and fairness in access to information and resources for all.

HITMPG - historically, intentionally, and traditionally marginalized people groups.

Implicit bias - beliefs we hold without realizing we have them. These beliefs may be positive or negative, but sometimes they can be damaging.

Inclusion - builds a culture of belonging by actively inviting the contribution and participation of all people.

Institutional Racism - the systematic distribution of resources, power, wealth, and opportunity in our society, particularly in social and political institutions, to the benefit of people who are white and the exclusion of people of color.

LGBTQ - is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. These terms are used to describe a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Microaggression - verbal, nonverbal, or environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicates hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.

Multiethnic/Multiculturalism - is the presence of, or support for the presence of, several distinct cultural or ethnic groups within a society.

Non-binary - identifies as a gender other than male or female.

Pansexual, or pan - is an individual who is attracted to people of any gender identity.

Queer - primarily a description of non-heterosexual and/or cisgender individuals. It was previously a negative or pejorative term for people who are gay, however, it is increasingly being used to describe all identities that go against normative beliefs, and is valued for both its defiance of normative culture and by those who find it to be an appropriate term to reflect their identity. 

Race - is a way to define human diversity. Usually a population within a species that is distinct in some way; often refers to a group of people who have common physical traits.

Transgender, or trans -  refers to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex.