Terminology

#HeartBeatsHate

Activism

Policy, practice or doctrine that emphasizes using action in support of or opposition to one side of an issue


Activist

Someone who advocates for or practices activism; one who uses or supports strong actions (e.g. protests) to support (or in opposition to) a controversial issue


Advocacy

Public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy, especially in seeking to address those who are marginalized or otherwise oppressed


Ally

One that is associated with another as a helper; to unite or form a connection between; a bond or connection


Allyship

An active, consistent and arduous practice of unlearning and re-evaluating in which a person of privilege and power seeks to operate in solidarity with a marginalized group; willing to act with and for others in pursuit of ending oppressing and creating equality


Anti-racism

The policy or practice of opposing racism and promoting racial tolerance


Apartheid

South African policy/system of segregation and discrimination based on race


Bias

Prejudice in favour or or against a person, group (or thing) when compared to another, usually in a way considered to be unfair

Bigotry

Intolerance towards those who hold different opinions from oneself


Blind Spot Bias

Recognizing bias in others while failing to notice one’s own


Civil Disobedience

Refusal to comply with certain laws, pay taxes or fines, as a peaceful form of protest


Civil Rights

The rights of citizens to political and social freedoms and equality


Clicktivism

Using social media and the Internet to amplify social cause


Culture

The way of life of a group of people and how they interact with their environments; someone can be a part of a number of cultures, and they are not only attributed to race or ethnicity


Democracy

A government by the people, voted in by the majority


Demonstration

An action by an organized group of people in support or against a cause; often consists of walking as a group from one point to another (also known as street protest).


Discrimination

The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people (or things), especially on the grounds of race, age, sex or gender


Diversity

Having or being composed of varying elements, especially the inclusion of different types of people in a group or organization  


Egalitarianism

The teaching that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities


Egality

The extreme leveling of society


Empowerment

The process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in claiming/owning one’s rights


Ethnic Minority

A group that has a different national or cultural tradition from the main population


Equality

Be equal especially in terms of status, rights and opportunities


Equity

The quality of being fair and impartial


Genocide

The deliberate killing of a large group of people, generally of a particular ethnic group, culture or nation


Global citizenship

The idea that all people have rights and civic responsibilities resulting from being a member of the world, rather than simply from one place; the idea that identity transcends geography or political boundaries


Harassment

Aggressive pressure or intimidation with goal of intimidating, humiliating or offending another; may be physical, verbal or social


Implicit Bias

Attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions and decisions in an unconscious manner (also known as implicit social cognition)


Hashtag Activism

In Internet activism, using hashtags (#) in support of or opposition to one side of an issue; helps to keep the story/issue in the news; helps amplify message


Holocaust

During World War II, Nazi Germany and its collaborators, systematically murdered approximately 6 million European Jews, as well as Roma, homosexuals, political opponents, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Soviet prisoners of war and Slavs.


Internet Activism

Use of Internet-based platforms (emails, social media) to share information faster and therefore increase coordination, action and fundraising efforts


Marginalized

Treat a person (group or concept) as insignificant or peripheral


Microaggression

A statement, action or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority


Nonviolence

Use of peaceful means, instead of force or violence, to bring about change, both political or social


Oppression

Injust or cruel use of authority or power; a sense of being weighed down; can take many forms including, but not limited to exploitation, marginalization, stigmatization, violence, harassment


Prejudice

Preconceived opinions that are not based on reason or actual experiences


Privilege

Special rights, advantages or immunities given to only certain people or groups of people


Protest

Statements or actions that express objection or disapproval to something


Race

A group of persons related by common descent or heredity; a population so related; an arbitrary classification of modern humans based on any or a combination of various physical characteristics (e.g. skin colour, eye shape)


Racial Literacy

A form of racial socialization and anti-racist training


Racism

Prejudice, discrimination or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior


Racist

A person who shows or feels discrimination or prejudice against people of other races, or who believes that a particular race is superior to another


Slacktivism

A term used to denounce Internet activism as it highlights the lack of genuine involvement in the cause/issue


Social Ally

A person of one social identity group who supports members of another group; typically a member of a dominant group supporting member(s) of a group being discriminated against


Social Justice

Justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities and privileges within a society; egalitarianism


Stereotype

Preconceived beliefs about a person or group of people based on an overly simplified image or idea


Transgender

A person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond to their sex at birth


Transphobia

Intense dislike, fear or prejudice for transsexual or transgender people


Transsexual

A person who feels, emotionally and physiologically, that they belong to the opposite sex

Upstander

A person who speaks and acts in support of others, including intervening when someone is being attacked or bullied