DEI Dictionary | August 2024, Vol. 1
Words have power! Check out these terms that provide information and understanding in the ever-evolving lexicon of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Bigotry – An unreasonable or irrational attachment to negative stereotypes and prejudices.
Body positivity – a social movement that promotes a positive view of all bodies, regardless of size, shape, skin tone, gender, and physical abilities.
Denial – The refusal to acknowledge the societal privileges that are granted or denied based on an individual’s identity components. Those who are in a stage of denial tend to believe that “People are people. We are all alike regardless of the color of our skin.” In this way, the existence of a hierarchical system of privileges based on ethnicity or race is ignored.
Fatphobia – Also known as anti-fat, is the implicit and explicit bias against overweight individuals that is rooted in a sense of blame and presumed moral failing. Being overweight and/or fat is highly stigmatized in Western culture.
Lookism – is prejudice or discrimination toward people who are considered to be physically unattractive, and bases perception of all other qualities, such as intelligence and abilities, on a person’s physical appearance.
Misogynoir – An extreme form of sexism rooted in racism. The term describes contempt for or ingrained prejudice toward Black women. The unique oppression experienced by Black women due to the intersectionality of gender, race, class, and sexual orientation combined with discrimination. Misogynoir utilizes and reinforces stereotypes of Black women.
Definitions curated by Seramount: Glossary of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Terms