Ethnicity, Race, and Racism

Terms in this section focus on concepts related to ethnicity, race, and racism. Some of these terms may also serve in broader capacities.

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Anti-Asian hate. The Asian American community has long struggled for visibility and equity, and now faces additional physical and mental health harms due to the increase in anti-Asian hate. Anti-Asian hate is not a new phenomenon: from the time Asian communities first immigrated to the U.S. to present day, Asian Americans have experienced discrimination in many forms, from mistrust, verbal abuse, and harassment to civil rights violations, anti-Asian legislation, and even physical violence.¹
Related term: Sinophobia

Anti-Blackness. The Council for Democratizing Education defines anti-Blackness as being a two-part formation that both voids Blackness of value, while systematically marginalizing Black people and their issues. The first form of anti-Blackness is overt racism. Beneath this anti-Black racism is the covert structural and systemic racism which categorically predetermines the socioeconomic status of Blacks in this country. The structure is held in place by anti-Black policies, institutions, and ideologies. The second form of anti-Blackness is the unethical disregard for anti-Black institutions and policies. This disregard is the product of class, race, and/or gender privilege certain individuals experience due to anti-Black institutions and policies. This form of anti-Blackness is protected by the first form of overt racism.¹⁸

Anti-racism. The active process of identifying and challenging racism, by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices, and attitudes, to redistribute power in an equitable manner.¹³ The work of actively opposing racism by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life.²⁰

Anti-racist. An anti-racist is someone who is supporting an antiracist policy through their actions or expressing antiracist ideas. This includes the expression of ideas that racial groups are equals and do not need developing, and supporting policies that reduce racial inequity.¹⁸ “One who is expressing an idea of racial equality, or who is actively supporting a policy that leads to racial equity or justice.”¹¹

Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI). Individuals of Asian, Asian-American, and/or Pacific Islander descent.³

B

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color: BIPOC. An acronym used to refer to black, Indigenous and people of color. It is based on the recognition of collective experiences of systemic racism. As with any other identity term, it is up to individuals to use this term as an identifier.¹⁰ The term BIPOC was developed to acknowledge that not all people of color face equal levels of injustice. The construction of the term “BIPOC” recognizes that Black and Indigenous people are severely impacted by systemic racial injustices (MerriamWebster, n.d.). It is important to note that “BIPOC” is still considered by many to indicate a hierarchy among communities of color. Instead of BIPOC, the preferred term(s) to use are “people/persons of color” and “communities of color”.¹²

Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a global activist movement that originated in the United States, following the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer in 2013. This movement, rooted in the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), addresses systemic racism and aims to bring about meaningful change. It seeks to combat anti-Black racism and violence, advocating for social justice reforms to address disparities faced by Black communities. BLM asserts that all Black lives are valuable and deserving of dignity, respect, and equal treatment under the law.⁴ As a statement, it has become an important way for people to show their support for members of the Black community who have experienced discrimination simply because of the color of their skin.²

C

Colonization. A type of invasion set to deprive and conquer land, people, and power from original inhabitants. In many instances, colonization efforts that started long ago still affect the dispossessed peoples negatively, such as extracted resources by the colonizers and the philosophy of white supremacy.¹⁸

Colorblind (Racially). The concept of colorblindness is often promoted by those who dismiss the importance of race in order to proclaim the end of racism.¹⁹ Color-blind ideology (or color-evasiveness – purporting to not notice race in an effort to not appear be racist) asserts that ending discrimination merely requires treating individuals as equally as possible, without regard to race, culture, or ethnicity. Color-blindness, by overlooking the cumulative and enduring ways in which race unequally shapes life chances and opportunities for people from different groups, actually reinforces and sustains an unequal status quo. By leaving structural inequalities in place, color-blindness has become the “new racism.” It also ignores cultural attributes that people value and deserve to have recognized and affirmed.¹⁸

Colorism. Using white skin color as the standard, colorism is the allocation of privilege and favor to lighter skin colors and disadvantage to darker skin colors.¹⁸ This phenomenon transcends mere preference; it encompasses systemic discrimination, bias, and prejudice based on skin tone. Colorism can manifest in various contexts, including media representation, workplace dynamics, and interpersonal relationships, significantly affecting individuals’ opportunities and self-esteem.⁵ Colorism operates both within and across racial and ethnic groups.¹⁸

Critical race theory. It looks at conventional issues (economic, historical, and more) through the lens of the social construction of race, how people of color are impacted by being relegated to the bottom tier, and through intersectionality. As it can also be defined as a movement as much as a legal theory or social theory, its definition is not truly static and can be considered malleable to fit changing social constructions around race.¹⁸

Cultural humility. An ongoing commitment of self-reflection and self-critique on how the background of one’s self and the background of other’s impacts power dynamics and relationships in a variety of contexts.²⁴

Culture. Social sets of behaviors, customs, and symbols created by groups of people. Cultures which oftentimes includes language, beliefs, customs, mores, tools, art, ceremonies, and other elements that bolster and bring together the group practicing the culture.^{6, 18}

D

Decolonization. The active resistance against colonial powers, and a shifting of power towards political, economic, educational, cultural, psychic independence and power that originate from a colonized nation’s own indigenous culture. This process occurs politically and also applies to personal and societal psychic, cultural, political, agricultural, and educational deconstruction of colonial oppression.¹⁸

E

Ethnicity. Refers to the social identity and mutual belongingness that defines a group of people on the basis of common origins, shared beliefs, and shared standards of behavior (culture).⁹ A common identity based on ancestry, language, culture, nation or region of origin. Ethnic groups can possess shared attributes, including religion, beliefs, customs and/or shared memories and experiences.⁷

I

Institutional Racism. Refers specifically to the ways in which institutional policies and practices create different outcomes and opportunities for different groups based on racial discrimination.¹⁰ Results from policies, practices, and procedures of institutions—such as school, health care, law enforcement, and criminal justice systems—that marginalize diverse racial groups.¹²

Internalized Racism. Refers to the acceptance by diverse racial populations of the negative societal beliefs and stereotypes about themselves—including negative stereotypes and beliefs about complexion and color (i.e., colorism) that reinforce the superiority of Whites and can lead to the perception of themselves as devalued, worthless, and powerless.¹²

Interpersonal Racism. Occurs when individuals from socially and politically dominant racial groups behave in ways that diminish and harm people who belong to other racial groups. Interpersonal racism is therefore distinct from bigotry (negative attitudes about an outgroup, not necessarily tied to race) or prejudice (a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience).¹²

L

Latine/Latinx. A person/people of Latin American origin or descent (used as a gender-neutral or nonbinary alternative to Latino or Latina).¹⁴
Note: While these terms have the same definition, a person of Latin American descent usually has a preference for one.

M

Minoritized. Refers to people in power treating other groups as a minority based on differences in race, religion, political beliefs, etc., and using the differences to marginalize them.^{16, 17} The American Psychological Association says to refer to peoples and groups as minoritized rather than a minority.¹²

Mixed race, biracial, multiracial. Generally accepted terms to describe a person who has mixed ancestry of two or more races. Many terms for people of various multiracial backgrounds exist, some of which are pejorative or are no longer used. The U.S. Census first gave the option for a person to identify as belonging to more than one race in 2000, at which time approximately 9 million individuals, or 2.9 percent of the population, self-identified as multiracial.¹⁹

Model minority. A term created by sociologist William Peterson to describe the Japanese community, whom he saw as being able to overcome oppression because of their cultural values. While individuals employing the Model Minority trope may think they are being complimentary, in fact the term is related to colorism and its root, anti-Blackness. The model minority myth creates an understanding of ethnic groups, including Asian Americans, as a monolith, or as a mass whose parts cannot be distinguished from each other. The model minority myth can be understood as a tool that white supremacy uses to pit people of color against each other in order to protect its status.¹⁸

P

People of global majority / global majority. Global majority refers to people who are “black, Asian, brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or have been racialized as ‘ethnic minorities.'”²¹

R

Race. A social construct that artificially divides people into distinct groups based on characteristics such as physical appearance, ancestral heritage, cultural affiliation, cultural history, ethnic classification, and the social, economic and political needs of a society at a given period of time.¹⁰ Race is a social construct, not a biological fact. As such, racial designations and the ways racial categorizations are enforced have changed over time as social definitions of race change.¹⁸

Racial profiling. The discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting people of color for suspicion of crime without evidence of criminal activity, based on their perceived race, ethnicity, national origin or religion (e.g., “stop-and frisk”). Racial profiling is ineffective, damages community-police relationships, and is being litigated around the country as a violation of constitutional rights. However, racial profiling continues to be used by law enforcement authorities at the federal, state, and local levels.¹⁹

Racism. The combination of individual prejudice and individual discrimination, on one hand, and institutional policies and practices, on the other, that result in the unjust, negative treatment and subordination of members of racial or ethnic groups that have experienced a history of discrimination. Prejudice, discrimination, and racism do not require intention.⁹ Racism operates at four levels: structural or systemic, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized.

Redlining. Redlining is “a form of illegal disparate treatment whereby a lender provides unequal access to credit, or unequal terms of credit, because of the race, color, national origin, or other prohibited characteristic(s) of the residents of the area in which the credit seeker resides or will reside or in which the residential property to be mortgaged is located.”⁸ “Redlining was the practice of categorically denying access to mortgages not just to individuals but to whole neighborhoods. . . . Neighborhoods they deemed ‘best’ and safe investments were given a grade of A and colored green. Those that were deemed ‘hazardous’ were given a grade of ‘D’ and colored red.” Neighborhoods primarily made up of African American residents or, to “a lesser extent, immigrants or Jews,” were graded D and colored red.¹⁵

Reparations. A making of amends from a state or, otherwise governmental authority, to those they have harmed either through a direct violation of human rights or a neglect to prevention of the violation from other forces. The compensation can be monetary in nature (such as housing), rely on future plans (such as laws), or some combination of the two.¹⁸

S

Sinophobia. Refers to a specific type of anti-Asian sentiment dating back centuries. Sinophobia is the fear of, dislike of, or a hostility towards China, Chinese people, or Chinese culture.^{22, 23}
Related term: Anti-Asian hate

Structural or Systemic Racism. The outcome of laws, policies, and practices that produce cumulative, durable, and race-based inequalities. Includes the failure to correct previous laws and practices that were explicitly or effectively racist.¹²

T

Tokenism. Tokenism is, simply, covert racism. Racism requires those in power to maintain their privilege by exercising social, economic, and/or political muscle against people of color (POC). Tokenism achieves the same while giving those in power the appearance of being non-racist and even champions of diversity because they recruit and use POC as racialized props. Examples include: recruit POC to formal leadership positions, but keep all the power; only hire POC for POC “stuff;” convene Special “Diversity Councils” but don’t build POC leadership on your main Board; and use POC as your mouthpiece and shield against other POC.¹⁸

W

White fragility. Coined by Robin D’Angelo, it is used to describe the privilege that accrues to white people living in a society that protects and insulates them from race-based stress. D’Angelo argues that this builds an expectation of always feeling comfortable and safe, which in turn lowers the ability to tolerate racial stress and triggers a range of defensive reactions.⁹ These reactions include outward display of emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and behaviors such as argumentation, silence, and leaving the stress-inducing situation. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium.¹⁸

White privilege. An advantage awarded to white people that is unearned and oftentimes goes unquestioned. Typically, white people who experience these advantages are unconscious of how their whiteness benefits them, and will accept the advantages without challenging them. While white privilege can be awarded to individuals, it is also interwoven on cultural and institutional levels. Culturally, this is seen as a set of norms to favor white views while other views are disregarded or disparaged. Institutionally, white privilege is displayed through policies and practices that seek to maintain and grow the advantages awarded to white people.¹⁸

White supremacy. A power system structured and maintained by people who classify themselves as white, whether consciously or subconsciously determined, and who feel superior to those of other racial/ethnic identities.¹⁰

Z

Zionism. The political and religious philosophy of Jewish self-determination through the establishment of a Jewish statehood. However, because Zionism is also expressed through the colonization of Palestine it also poses a negative historical reality.²⁵

Sources

^ Anti-Asian Hate, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (n.d.).
^ Anti-Racism: What Does the Phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ Mean?, BBC Newsround (2023).
^ Asian and Pacific Islander Identities and Diversity (PDF), Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (2019).
^ Black Lives Matter, The Oxford Review DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Dictionary (n.d.).
^ Colorism, The Oxford Review DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Dictionary (n.d.).
^ Culture, Britannica (2022).
^ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Key Terms and Definitions, Stacy Nakintu & Ophelia Bitanga-Isreal, National Association of Counties (2021) (archived PDF from 2022).
^ Federal Fair Lending Regulations and Statutes: Overview (PDF), Consumer Compliance Handbook, Federal Reserve (2006).
^ Foundational Concepts & Affirming Language, Harvard Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (2021) (archived PDF from 2023).
^ Glossary of Terms, UW College of the Environment (2023).
^ How to Be an Anti-Racist, Ibram X. Kendi (2019).
^ Inclusive Language Guide, American Psychological Association (2021).
^ Key Equity Terms & Concepts: A Glossary for Shared Understanding (PDF), Center for the Study of Social Policy (2019).
^ Latine & Hispanic Heritage Month: Key Terms, NYU Libraries (last updated 2025, March 24).
^ Mapping Inequality: Redlining in New Deal America, Robert K. Nelson, LaDale Winling, et al, Digital Scholarship Lab (2023).
^ Minoritize, Cambridge English Dictionary (n.d.).
^ Minoritized, Oxford English Dictionary (n.d.).
^ Racial Equity Tools Glossary, Racial Equity Tools (2020).
^ Racial Justice in Education: Key Terms and Definitions, NEA Center for Social Justice, (2021).
^ Racism Defined, Dismantling Racism Works (2021).
^ Should We Drop Ethnic Minority for Global Majority?, Nicola Bryan, BBC News (2024).
^ Sinophobia, Cambridge English Dictionary (n.d.).
^ Sinophobia, Oxford English Dictionary (n.d.) (requires subscription).
^ What is Cultural Humility? The Basics, Division of Equity and Inclusion, University of Oregon (n.d.).
^ Zionism from the Standpoint of Its Victims (PDF), Edward Said, from The Edward Said Reader (1979).