We want to acknowledge that some of the things we will bring up as we discuss Identity can be difficult to talk about. In some cases, it might be because they relate to experiences with which you're unfamiliar. In some cases, it might be because they bring up memories of your own experiences that are painful to think about. We might be asking you to think about things no one has ever asked you to think about or things you can't escape and have to think about constantly.
We encourage you to notice how you are feeling as you go through this topic and pace yourself. Try to keep an open mind about experiences different from your own, and take care of yourself in whatever ways you need to.
We expect that people who participate in this course will be at different levels of familiarity with terminology related to Identity. So that you have access to a shared language as we move forward, we offer definitions for some frequently used terms:
Culture- A social system of meaning and customs that is developed by a group of people to assure its adaptation and survival. These groups are characterized by a set of customs, values, beliefs, habits, patterns of thinking, behaviors, and styles of communication.
‐Ism- A social phenomenon and psychological state where prejudice is accompanied by the power to systemically enact an institutionalized form of discrimination.
Marginalized- Excluded, ignored, or relegated to the outer edge of a group/society/community.
Naming- When a thought that traditionally has not been discussed due to its counter-culture nature is articulated.
Oppression- Results from the use of institutional power and privilege where one person or group benefits at the expense of another. Oppression is the use of power and the effects of domination.
Privilege- Unearned social power accorded by the formal and informal institutions of society to ALL members of a dominant group (e.g. White privilege, male privilege, etc.). Privilege is usually invisible to those who have it because they are taught not to see it, but nevertheless it puts them at an advantage over those who do not have it.
Social Justice- can be defined as both a process and a goal. "The goal of social justice education is full and equal participation of all groups in a society that is mutually shaped to meet their needs. Social justice includes a vision of society that is equitable and all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure."
Unconscious Bias- social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside of their own conscious awareness. Everyone holds unconscious beliefs about various social & identity groups, and these biases stem from one’s tendency to organize by categorizing.
Worldview- The perspective through which individuals view the world; comprised of their history, experiences, culture, family history, and other influences.
We will define more terms as they come up. You can also refer to this resource for a longer and more detailed glossary of terms:
Diversity and Social Justice Glossary (UMass Lowell)
This glossary does not cover all terms related to discussions of identity, and many terms are the subject of ongoing debate. Many other glossaries of terms exist and we encourage you to explore them.
Which of the following most closely represents how you are feeling about discussing identity in the context of this course?
We understand it's possible that none of them truly represent your current state of mind, or perhaps you relate to more than one...