Glossary of Terminology

25 Diversity/ Multicultural Education terms

Activism
Group of people banding together to bring attention to social injustice or any call to change in society
Apartheid
Racial segregation that took place in South Africa
Bias
Having a set opinion on a certain topic without hearing the other side
Civil Rights
Rights that are guaranteed to every man or woman of the United States
Class
Usually referring to tax bracket; there’s low class, middle class, and high class
Color blindness
Being blind to the color of someone’s skin and not prejudging them because of it
Culture
Usually refers to someone’s lifestyle or traditions that they follow
Diversity
Having a mix of people from different places and upbringings with different beliefs and ways of living
Equality
Being treated with the same respect and given the same opportunity to create a better life for oneself
Inclusion
Not being left out of the loop and always being a part of or having a say so in what’s going on
Indigenous
Usually referring to a native group of people whose ancestry began on the land they live on
Literacy
The ability to write, read, and understand
Minority
Usually refers to the ethnic groups that are low in population in a certain area
People of Color
Use to refer to minorities of different races that are not of the Caucasian race
Privilege
Never having to go without and always one step of the competition in life
Progressive
The mindset of always moving forward or consistently working towards growth
Race
Refers to someone’s ethnic background; Black, White, or Hispanic etc.
Racism
The act of hate towards a group of people based on their beliefs or skin
Religion
His or hers belief in (a) god depending on the ethnic group or biblical upbringing
Sexual Orientation
Your preference whether it is heterosexual or homosexual
Social Justice
Being treated equally and getting the same treatment as the next person in society
Stereotypes
Statements that group a certain type of people with certain actions that may portray them negatively
System of Oppression
Things put in place to keep those who are not privileged or have the same accessibility at a disadvantage to others
Values
Ideologies that one lives their life by on the daily basis that hold them accountable.
Violence
The act or intention to cause harm to someone with malicious intent