Glossary Of Multicultural Terms
Following is a glossary of terms applicable to efforts toward institutional multiculturalism. The definitions below were taken from materials used for multicultural awareness training offered by staff of Michigan State University Extension. The title of the training program is Multicultural Self-Awareness Workshop.
Culture--
The values, beliefs and ways of thinking and speaking that a group
develops to survive in a particular environment.
Discrimination-- Unfair treatment of a person or group.
Diversity-- A word describing differences among people.
Homophobia-- The devaluing of and/or discrimination against others based on sexual orientation.
Internalized oppression-- Members or target groups believing they are inferior to members of non-target groups.
"Isms"-- Treating a person or group as "less than" because of color, gender, economic status, age, class, religion or sexual orientation, etc.
Modern "isms"-- Members of non-target groups saying that everyone is equal but acting and speaking in discriminatory ways.
Monoculturalism--
The belief that one group's way is the right way and is better than
all others.
Multiculturalism--
Seeing,
understanding and finding good in cultural differences.
Non-target groups-- Groups that are more likely to receive privilege and benefits in a society and who believe that their "way" is better.
Old-fashioned "isms"-- Members of non-target groups openly saying that members of a target group are inferior and should be treated as such.
Oppression-- Four levels at which modern "ism" are expressed (personal, interpersonal, institutional and cultural) and where positive change can be made.
Pluralism-- Recognizing that all groups contribute to society.
Prejudice-- A negative attitude, toward a person or group, which is learned and can be unlearned.
Systemic oppression-- The systematic mistreatment of the powerless by the powerful, resulting in the targeting of a group to receive less.
Target groups-- Groups that are "targeted" as "less than" or "different" because of their race, gender, age, sexual orientation, role or job, etc.
Unearned privilege-- Benefits and privileges that come with being a member of a non-target group.
World view-- The way a person sees her/himself in relation to the world.
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