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Terms: Ableism, Activism, Addictions, Advocacy, Ageism, Ally/Allyship, Anti-Indigeneity, Anti-Racism
Ableism
Definition:
“A system that produces social and physical barriers based on one’s abilities (mental, neurological, intellectual, emotional, and/or physical) and one’s contributions to “productivity” within a capitalist and colonial framework.” The Anti-Oppression Network
Examples:
Asking someone what is “wrong” with them
Saying, “You do not look disabled,” as though this is a compliment
Viewing a person with a disability as inspirational for doing typical things, such as having a career
Assuming a physical disability is a product of laziness or lack of exercise
Using public facilities that are for people with disabilities, such as parking spaces or toilets
Questioning whether a person’s disability is real” Medicine News Today
Sources:
Terminologies of Oppression
Ableism: Types, examples, impact, and anti-ableism 2021
Resources:
Annex: Understanding disabilities - Canada.ca
Canadian Disability Participation Project
You Can't Ask That
Ableism: Types, examples, impact, and anti-ableism
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
Definition:
“Advocacy means getting support from another person to help you express your views and wishes, and help you stand up for your rights. Someone who helps you in this way is called your advocate.” - Mind“Advocacy is defined as any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.” - Alliance for Justice
Examples:
Perform functions on behalf of someone for whom English is not their first language
Apply for citizenship for a former Syrian Refugee family
As a parent, advocate for your child to obtain appropriate medical care
Advocate for a senior when financial abuse by another (family member or caregiver) is suspected
Sources:
Alliance fir Justice What is Advocacy? 2008
Resources:
The Global Nonviolent Action Database
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