Definitions

Diversity is the presence of differences. Related to social justice work we mean a diversity of identities or human differences like race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, physical abilities, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, faith, and political beliefs.

 

Inclusion: A culture of belonging by actively inviting the contribution and participation of all people. Where any individual or group is welcomed, respected, supported and valued to fully participate.

 

Equality vs. Equity. Although both promote fairness, equalityachieves this through treating everyone the same regardless of need, while equity achieves this through treating people differently dependent on need.

Intersectionality is a framework for conceptualizing a person, group of people, or social problem as affected by a number of discriminations and disadvantages. It takes into account people’s overlapping identities and experiences in order to understand the complexity of prejudices they face. “Intersectionality” was coined in 1989 by Kimberlé Crenshaw, a civil rights activist and legal scholar. In a paper for the University of Chicago Legal Forum, Crenshawwrote that traditional feminist ideas and antiracist policies exclude black women because they face overlapping discrimination unique to them.