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Terms: Ableism, Activism, Addictions, Advocacy, Ageism, Ally/Allyship, Anti-Indigeneity, Anti-Racism
Ableism
Phonetic Pronunciation: ay-buhl-iz-uhm
Definition:
Actions and mindsets which discriminate against people with physical or mental disabilities or which view them as inferior.
History:
The term ableism was coined in the 1980s, a time of increased disability rights activism in the United States. It first appeared in print in an interview in Yvonne Duffy's 1981 book ...all things are possible, where an interviewee uses it to describe a preferential treatment of the abled, as well as in feminist magazine Off Our Backs.
Current Usage:
While ableism was a term first introduced in feminist circles, ableism is now a widely used term throughout the disabled and neurodivergent communities, and has become increasingly mainstream since 2010.
Examples:
A situational example is: An architect not following disability standards when designing a new building.
A sentence example is: "We need to destroy the systemic roots of ableism."
Perspective:
Ableism is widely interpreted to include negative mindsets towards people with autism, dyslexia and other developmental conditions. It is widely agreed upon that negative stereotypes, inaccessible design, and systemic barriers are components of ableism which need to be addressed, identifying specific key issues which align with the broader definition of ableism.
Co-founder of the Harriet Tubman Institute and disabled social justice advocate Talila Lewis has the perspective that one does not have to be disabled to experience ableism, noting that a justification for racism against and enslavement of African Americans is that they are seen as 'doomed' due to their lower intelligence- a clear example of ableism affecting people who are not disabled.
Did You Know?
The word "ableism" is a combination of "able," meaning having the power or capacity to do something, and the prefix "ism" which, contextually, refers to discriminatory actions or practices.
Sources:
#Ableism – Center for Disability Rights
Ableism - Etymology, Origin & Meaning
Ableism (A Brief History of the Emergence of a Term) — Lisa Diedrich
ableism, n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary
Resources:
CC Resource Database: Disability and Neurodivergent Community
Anti-Defamation League's Ability, Disability and Ableism Educational Resources
Activism
Definition:
At Canada Confesses, activism means creating a movement of change to highlight social injustices. Any activity that results in positive change for the historically oppressed can be considered activism.
Examples:
Educating oneself on current issues can be the first step to creating positive change.
Reposting social media highlighting a social justice issue.
Assisting in a beach clean up.
Advocating for changes in government practices.
Resources:
Addictions
Phonetic Pronunciation: uh-dik-shn
Definition:
A medical condition which causes a harmful level of dependence to a particular substance or activity.
History:
The latin roots addicere and addictus evolved in the Middle to Late Roman Republic as a descriptive, not literal, notion of enslavement. In the Early Modern period, the verb addict meant ‘to attach’. In the 17th century, addiction had a mostly positive connotation in the sense of devoting oneself to another person, cause, or pursuit. (1)
Current Usage:
Contrastly today, addiction has a mostly negative connotation, used to describe an unhealthy amount of dependency on a certain substance or activity, differing from a habit or routine by the extremity of the behavior’s impulses. Medically, it can suggest a person suffers from a substance use disorder or gambling use disorder .
Examples:
A situational example: “A friend has been neglecting their work and family to play slots at the casino. They confided in me that despite wanting and trying to stop, the impulses to play slots would always win. I suggested they seek out professional help, as they show signs of developing a gambling addiction.“
A sentence example: “My friend is suffering from a gambling addiction.”
Perspective:
While the term “addiction” is often associated with negative stereotypes of criminal activity, poor hygiene, and weak character, medical experts and activists agree it is more accurately interpreted as a medical condition, where the associated stigmatization only serves to further isolate the afflicted individuals, worsening their chance of recovery. Hence, there are current efforts to reform the perception of addiction as a condition of incidence rather than a reflection of character. Destigmatization efforts involve avoiding the synonymous use of the terms “addict” or “user”, as they describe a person’s identity by their affliction with a sense of permanency and cast judgement. (2)
Other perspectives treat addiction as a psychological response to situations which are difficult to tolerate. This understanding is developed by studies linking substance use disorders to people who have been diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or experience childhood trauma (3). Consequentially, substance use disorders are often experienced at higher rates within marginalized communities who faced discrimination and cultural genocide, as current statistics find Indigenous women are 5 times more likely to overdose than non-indigenous women (4).
Did You Know?
Historically, “addiction” is an auto-antonym, because the word developed a conflicting meaning from its origin. While the root meaning is preserved, the term evolved from a notion of endearment to one of affliction. (1)
Sources:
The etymology and early history of ‘addiction’
Words Matter: The Language of Addiction
Reconciliation and Canada’s overdose crisis: responding to the needs of Indigenous People
Resources:
CC Resource Database: Addictions
To see candid personal anecdotes of people struggling with addiction, check out the YouTube channel “Soft White Underbelly”
“The Addicted Mind Podcast” utilizes clinical research and personal stories to inspire hope, guidance, and empathy for those dealing with addiction
Advocacy
Phonetic Pronunciation: ad-vuh-kuh-see
Definition:
The act of speaking on behalf of another to plead their cause often influences decision-making and promotes social change. This practice prioritizes uplifting underrepresented groups to ensure that social, political, and economic inequalities do not hinder fair and equitable access.
History:
The English word “advocate” is derived from the Latin “advocatus,” a term that arose in the late 14th century. Historically, the term was used in legal contexts, specifically meaning “one called to support” or “summoned to back a defendant during trial.”
Current Usage:
Today, the term advocacy has broadened to encompass addressing persistent or growing inequalities, ranging from health inequalities to social, political, and economic disparities.
Examples:
“The history of HIV treatment is one of advocacy, as access to the first treatments came as the result of gay communities across North America mobilizing efforts on behalf of people living with HIV.”
Perspective:
Individual Level - The act of personally assisting specific people to navigate through complex systems. Primarily supporting marginalized or underrepresented groups by ensuring they can access necessary services, resources, or information.
Systemic Level - Occurs in institutional, community, population, or policy levels. Entails increasing awareness, mobilizing resources, and influencing decision-making and planning across different fields (i.e. social justice and policymaking) to promote social justice.
Sources:
What is Advocacy? - The Advonet Group
What is Advocacy? - Human Rights Careers
What is Advocacy 2018 - Mind
Advocacy - Speech-Language Audiology Canada
Advocacy as a Professional Responsibility - National Library of Medicine
Human Rights Activism - Canada’s Human Rights History
Types of Advocacy - West Virginia University
Rights Revolution in Canada - The Canadian Encyclopedia
Social Justice - The Canadian Encyclopedia
Ageism
Definition:
“A system of oppression that produces social and physical barriers based on one’s age, particularly those deemed especially young or especially old. “ Anti-Oppression Network
Sources:
Resources:
Child Advocacy/Child & Youth Advocacy Organizations Across Canada
Ally/Allyship
Definition:
"Allyship is “an active, consistent, and arduous practice of unlearning and re-evaluating, in which a person in a position of privilege and power seeks to operate in solidarity with a marginalized group.” The Anti-Oppression Network.
Allies “ actively acknowledge their privilege and power and openly discuss them: they recognize that as recipients of privilege, they will always be capable of perpetuating systems of oppression from which their privilege came.” The Anti-Oppression Network.
Examples:
Explain how a racist remark is harmful, and how it is not based on facts.
As a white person, attend a Black Lives Matter rally.
Acknowledge that we are operating on stolen land, and that indigenous people were the first people on Turtle Island. (Canada)
Sources:
Resources:
Settlers Take Action Resource Guide
Anti-Indigeneity
Definition:
“Anti-indigeneity is Anti-Indigenous systemic racism and is a manifestation of Canada’s colonial legacy and is intricately interwoven into Canada’s social and political fabric.” Native Women’s Association“The core of anti-Indigeneity is in opposition to self-determination, political and cultural autonomy, and the right to maintain, use and protect traditional territories and resources.” High Country News
Sources:
ANTI-INDIGENOUS SYSTEMIC RACISM IN CANADIAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS 2020
How anti-Indigeneity proliferates around the West and the world — High Country News. 2020
Resources:
ANTI-INDIGENOUS SYSTEMIC RACISM IN CANADIAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS
How anti-Indigeneity proliferates around the West and the world — High Country News.
Anti-Racism
Definition:
Anti-racism can be defined as the practice of identifying and opposing racism. It differs from simply being not racist, as it requires active participation in dismantling racism at the individual, institutional, and structural levels.
““There is no such thing as being "not racist," says author and historian Ibram X. Kendi. He defines the transformative concept of antiracism to help us more clearly recognize, take responsibility for and reject prejudices in our public policies, workplaces and personal beliefs. “Ted Talk by Ibram X. Kendi
Examples:
Recognize that systemic racism exists in every part of society: employment, housing, health care, justice system, immigration, religion, education, and so on.
As a white person, recognize your privilege, and actively work to reverse biases and effect change.
Any action that counteracts disadvantages experienced because of race.
Sources:
Ibram X. Kendi The Difference Between Being Not Racist and Anti-Racist 2020
Resources:
Canadian Voices Against Racism