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Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Ethics, and Accessibility (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Ethics, and Accessibility)

This guide is an introduction to Grace Library's resources on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Ethics, and Accessibility (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Ethics, and Accessibility).

Definitions

Accessibility: The practice of making information, activities, and/or environments usable for as all people. Facility, IT systems, and educational accessibility. 

BIPOC: BIPOC, which stands for Black, Indigenous, People of Color. People are using the term to acknowledge that not all people of color face equal levels of injustice. They say BIPOC is significant in recognizing that Black and Indigenous people are severely impacted by systemic racial injustices. Webster

Diversity: Is the uniqueness of YOU. The unique and various  characteristics, backgrounds, and experiences that make up the individual human.

Equity: Being fair, just and impartial. Ensuring that every person has a voice and equal access.

Ethics (Ethical Person): Christian ethics is the discipline that is concerned with what is morally good and bad and morally right and wrong. Ethical individuals demonstrate mercy, integrity, honesty, and respect for others, and they strive to make choices that contribute to the well-being of society as a whole.

Inclusion: The constant and consistent practice of ensuring that  individuals feel safe, heard and valued for their unique perspectives.

Individual Racism: Refers to the beliefs, attitudes, and actions of individuals that support or perpetuate racism in conscious and unconscious ways. Source: IR NMAAH&C

Institutional Racism: Occurs in an organization. These are discriminatory treatments, unfair policies, or biased practices based on race that result in inequitable outcomes for whites over people of color and extend considerably beyond prejudice.Source: IR NMAAH&C

Interpersonal Racism: Occurs between individuals. These are public expressions of racism, often involving slurs, biases, or hateful words or actions. Source: IR NMAAH&C

POC: Abbreviation for person of color or people of color: a person who does not consider themselves to be white, or people who do not consider themselves to be white.

Social Justice: Is defined by “looking for the next great need,” which means advocating for the dignity of EVERY person. Creating solidarity in community, by remaining  committed to the common good, and continually working to ensure the rights of ALL people. 

Structural Racism: Is the overarching system of racial bias across institutions and society. These systems give privileges to  the majority resulting in disadvantages to people of color. Adapted from Source: IR NMAAH&C 

Antiracism

Antiracism is understood the policy or practice of opposing racism and promoting racial tolerance and equity. This concept involves actively identifying, challenging, and changing the values, structures, and behaviors that perpetuate systemic racism. Unlike non-racism, which is a passive stance of not engaging in racist behaviors, antiracism requires conscious effort to be part of the solution to racial injustices by supporting policies, practices, and actions that diminish racial disparities and promote racial equity and inclusion.

A pivotal work by Ibram X. Kendi, How to Be an Antiracist, provides key insights into the concept of antiracism. Kendi argues that it's not enough to simply be not racist; one must actively participate in antiracist actions. He explores the idea that racism is deeply rooted in societal structures and policies and that to combat racism, one must challenge these underlying systems rather than merely the outward expressions of racism.

Intersectionality

Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, refers to a theoretical framework that examines how various forms of social stratification, such as race, gender, class, and others, do not exist independently of each other but are interwoven and work simultaneously to produce systemic inequality and individual experiences of oppression. This concept emphasizes that the intersections of these identity categories create unique modes of discrimination and privilege. Crenshaw introduced intersectionality to highlight the particular experiences of Black women, whose experiences of discrimination and disadvantage cannot be fully understood by looking at gender and race as separate categories. Intersectionality demonstrates the importance of analyzing overlapping identities and how these intersections contribute to unique experiences of oppression and privilege, urging for more nuanced approaches to social justice and anti-discrimination policies.

Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory, and antiracist politics. In A. Phillips (Ed.), Feminism and politics (pp. 314-343). Oxford University Press.