GENERAL RACIAL EQUITY INFORMATION

General Resources

The terms and definitions are from a variety of Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression resources, including Baltimore Racial Justice Action, among others, as presented by Ayira Core Concepts, LLC.

If you wish to share these terms and definitions, please use the above citation.

 

DiversityRefers only to the presence of individuals from various racial backgrounds and/or identities.

 

Racial InclusionAuthentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities, and decision-/policy-making in a way that shares power. (Source: OpenSource Leadership Strategies)

 

Racial EquityThe situation that would exist if past racial inequities have been repaired in U.S. society; if race were not hierarchical and the most powerful predictor of how one fares; and if everyone has what they need (access and opportunity) to create a good life.  No individual institutions can be “equitable.”  Racial Equity is a societal debt and obligation. Individual institutions can expand inclusion, thereby helping to create a societal environment in which the conditions of racial equity can be supported and its obligation satisfied.  (BRJA, ACC-LLC, Dr. William A. Darity, Jr. and other sources)

 

Social JusticeThe condition that would exist if the distribution of resources, opportunity, access, societal benefits and protection were equitable; repairs for multi-generational injustices imposed upon historically marginalized groups were made; and all members of society had what they needed to prosper in accordance to their talents and abilities.

 

Cultural RacismRefers to representations, messages, and stories conveying the idea that behaviors and values associated with white people or “whiteness” are automatically “better” or more “normal” than those associated with peoples of color groups.

 

Privilege: Refers to the societal benefits automatically received from being a member of the dominant group. The advantages created for members of the dominant group are often invisible to them, or are considered “rights” available to everyone as opposed to “privileges” awarded to only some individuals or groups.

 

White Privilege: The actual benefits that people who are socially identified and classified as white receive because of that racial identification. The concrete advantages of being white in countries where white skin privilege is social currency.

 

White Supremacy:  It is a term for the idea of white superiority and is the foundation of all U.S. racism. This is a “hot button” term because it is often associated only with extremist groups of white people who openly express hatred of peoples of color. However, it is a normalized belief that “white culture” – attitudes, behavior, beliefs, standards, history, values, etc. – is better than all others. Individuals do not have to individually believe this to support and/or act upon the societal norms resulting from this ingrained belief.

Blogs

Note to My White Self - Highlight Posts:

Podcasts

15 Informative Podcasts to Learn About Race in America by Karla Pope

8 Podcasts You Should Listen to About Race and Racial Injustice in the US by JJ Ramberg

NPR: Code Switch - Highlight Interviews:

Unlocking Us by Brené Brown - Highlight Interviews:

  • Dr. Ibram Kendi
  • Austin Channing Brown
  • Dr. Yaba Blay
  • Brené - On Shame and Accountability (7/1/2020)

Cape Up with Jonathan Capehart - Highlight Interviews:

  • Equity is About More Than Just Hiring Diverse Employees with Verna Myers
  • Why White Progressives Have Such a Hard Time Confronting Racism with Robin DiAngelo

Be Antiracist with Dr. Ibram Kendi - Highlight Interview(s):

  • The Zero-Sum Myth: We're Divided, We're Conquered with Heather McGhee
  • Black & Asian American Solidarity: Exchanging Ideas, Sharing History with Cathy Park Hong