Diversity (an idea)Diversity is "otherness," or those human qualities that are different from our own and outside the groups to which we belong, yet are present in other individuals and groups. It is important to distinguish between the primary and secondary dimensions of diversity.
Primary dimensions are the following: age, ethnicity, gender, physical abilities/qualities, race and sexual orientation.
Secondary dimensions of diversity are those that can be changed, and include, but are not limited to: educational background, geographic location, income, marital status, military experience, parental status, religious beliefs, and work experiences. An emphasis on accepting and respecting cultural differences by recognizing that no one culture is intrinsically superior to another underlies the current usage of the term.
Stereotype (an idea)A stereotype is an oversimplified generalization about an entire group of people without regard for individual differences. Even positive stereotypes, such as Asians are good at math and computers, have a negative impact.
Prejudice (a feeling)Prejudice is prejudging, making a decision about a person or group of people without sufficient knowledge. Prejudicial thinking is based on stereotypes. Prejudice is a feeling or attitude.
Discrimination (an action)Discrimination is the behavior that can follow prejudicial thinking. Discrimination is the denial of justice and fair treatment in many arenas, including employment, housing and political rights
ScapegoatingScapegoating is the action of blaming an individual or group for something when, in reality, there is no one person or group responsible for the problem. It means blaming another person or group for problems in society because of that person's group identity. Prejudicial thinking and discriminatory acts can lead to scapegoating. Members of the disliked group are denied employment, housing, political rights, social privileges, or a combination of these, and have been the targets of violence and murder during periods of social upheaval.
BigotryBigotry is prejudice and/or discrimination against one or all members of a particular group based on negative perceptions of their beliefs and practices or on negative group stereotypes.
Hate incidentHate-motivated incidents are defined as behavior which constitutes an expression of hostility against the person or property of another because of the victim’s race, religion, disability, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation or other group identity.
RacismRacism is a prejudice and/or discrimination based on the myth of race. Racists believe that some groups are born superior to others and, in the name of protecting their race from "contamination," they justify the domination and destruction of races they consider to be inferior to their own.
EthnocentrismA practice of unconsciously or consciously privileging a certain ethnic group over others. This involves judging other groups by the values of one's own group.
MulticulturalismThe practice of acknowledging and respecting the various cultures, religions, races, ethnicities, attitudes and opinions within an environment.
ToleranceAcceptance and open-mindedness to different practices, attitudes, and cultures; does not necessarily mean agreement with the differences.
Social constructivismA perception of an individual, group, or idea that is "constructed" through cultural and social practice, but appears to be "natural," or "the way things are." For example, the idea that women "naturally" like to do housework is a social construction because this idea appears "natural" due to its historical repetition, rather than it being "true" in any essential sense.
Anti-semitismAnti-Semitism is a form of religious bigotry. It is prejudice or discrimination against Jews, based on negative ideas about Jews' religious beliefs and practices and/or on negative group stereotypes.
SexismSexism is prejudice or discrimination based on gender.
HeterosexismHeterosexism is prejudice or discrimination against people who are gay, lesbian or bisexual. Homophobia is the fear of homosexuals, or of people thought to be lesbian, gay or bisexual.
AbleismAbleism is prejudice and/or discrimination against people with mental or physical disabilities.
ClassismClassism is prejudice and/or discrimination against people because of their socioeconomic class.
AgeismAgeism is prejudice and/or discrimination against people because of their age.