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Terms: Implicit Bias, Interdependent, Intersectionality, Indigenization, Indigenous, International Development, Invisible Disabilities, Islamaphobia
Implicit Bias
Definition:
“Implicit bias is a form of bias that occurs automatically and unintentionally, that nevertheless affects judgments, decisions, and behaviors. Research has shown implicit bias can pose a barrier to recruiting and retaining a diverse scientific workforce.” National Institutes of Health
Examples:
Affinity Bias: The tendency for individuals to gravitate toward people similar to themselves.
Race Bias: Asians are good at math.
Gender Bias: Flight attendants should be women.
LGBTQIA+ Community Bias: Lesbians can’t relate to men.
Sources:
Addressing Implicit Bias: How to Identify Your Own | Maryville Online.
Resources:
Harvard Implicit Association Test
Addressing Implicit Bias: How to Identify Your Own | Maryville Online.
Interdependent
Definition:
“A way of saying that the various forms and systems of oppression are not separate, and can’t be isolated into distinct categories, to be addressed on their own. Oppression is a network of intersecting and related forms of domination and the oppression of one group must be resisted alongside the oppression of others.” The Anti-Oppression Network
Sources:
Intersectionality
Definition:
‘Intersectionality was coined in 1989 by professor Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe how race, class, gender, and other individual characteristics “intersect” with one another and overlap. “
“Intersectionality was a prism to bring to light dynamics within discrimination law that weren’t being appreciated by the courts,” Crenshaw said. “In particular, courts seem to think that race discrimination was what happened to all black people across gender and sex discrimination was what happened to all women, and if that is your framework, of course, what happens to black women and other women of color is going to be difficult to see.” -The Intersectionality Wars
Examples:
Sources:
The Intersectionality Wars, Jane Coastonjane, 2018
Resources:
The Urgency of Intersectionality | Kimberlé Crenshaw
The Intersectionality Wars, Jane Coastonjane, 2018,
Oxford Reference Dictionaries Definitions of Intersectionality
Indigenization
Definition:
Indigenization can be understood as weaving or braiding together two distinct knowledge systems. It is a deliberate coming together of two ways of knowing (Pulling Together: Foundations Guide).
Indigenization involves recognizing and valuing the unique contributions and experiences of Indigenous peoples and centering their voices and ways of knowing. Indigenization aims to challenge and transform colonial norms, power dynamics, and systems of oppression by actively engaging with Indigenous cultures, languages, histories, and worldviews.
“Indigenization recognizes validity of Indigenous worldviews, knowledge and perspectives. It identifies opportunities for indigeneity to be expressed, and incorporates Indigenous ways of knowing and doing” - Indigenous Corporate Training.
Sources:
Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. 2016
Indigenous
Definition:
Indigenous peoples refer to the original inhabitants of a specific territory, who have distinct cultural, social, and political identities rooted in their ancestral lands. From a critical decolonial perspective, this definition recognizes the Indigenous peoples' deep connection to the land, their resilience in the face of colonization, and the ongoing struggles for self-governance, cultural revitalization, and justice. It emphasizes challenging colonial structures, addressing power imbalances, and working towards reconciliation and Indigenous rights.
Indigenous comes from the Latin word indigena, which means “sprung from the land; native.” And Indigenous Peoples recognize that, rather than a single group of people, there are many separate and unique Nations (Ward, 2017).
Wherever possible, though, you should use the specific names of the Nations and communities, especially if you are acknowledging territory and identity. (Idigenization Foundations)
Examples:
“Indigenous Peoples - A collective noun for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis It can be used interchangeably with First Peoples, First Nations, and Aboriginal Peoples.” - Indigenous Corporate Training.
“Indigenous Peoples are distinct social and cultural groups that share collective ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they live, occupy or from which they have been displaced.” World Bank
Sources:
Aboriginal or Indigenous? – Pulling Together: Foundations Guide
Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. 2016
World Bank Indigenous Peoples, 2022
Resources:
Newcomer Guide to Indigenous Culture
International Development
Definition:
International development has been the popular term to describe work that pursues “a better world for all through the elimination of poverty, discrimination and injustice.” (Salvation Army International Development)
However, there has been a recent push to acknowledge the harm of pro-development ideology in international work, especially with foreign aid.
Hence, “International cooperation” has emerged to include capacity building.
According to IGI Global, International cooperation “has three major tasks: supporting and complementing efforts of developing countries to guarantee the provision of universal social basic standards to their citizens, as a means for people to exercise their basic human rights; promoting the convergence of the developing (and particularly the poorest) countries to higher levels of income and wellbeing, correcting extreme international inequalities; supporting efforts of developing countries to participate actively in the provision of international public goods.”
The difference is not just semantics but a rising demand to recognize the motives and structures behind global partnerships. International development has historically brought the perspective of "helping" another nation through money and capital, while International cooperation emphasizes working together with nations to create holistic and sustainable solutions.
Sources:
Salvation Army International Development 2015
Resources:
United Nations Sustainable Goals
Invisible Disibilities
Definition:
“The term invisible disabilities covers a whole spectrum of hidden conditions, including chronic pain, mental illness, communication disorders, brain injuries, developmental and learning disabilities, hearing loss, Crohn’s disease, sleep disorders, severe allergies and diabetes.” United Way
Sources:
Respecting invisible disabilities is everyone's job 2019.
Resources:
Respecting invisible disabilities is everyone's job.
Islamophobia
Definition:
“Islamophobia is the most used term to describe prejudice, negative sentiments, and hostility toward Islam and Muslims. Islamophobia can be based on ideas about Islam as a religion and on ideas about Muslims as a cultural and ethnic group. Islamophobic ideas portray Islam and Muslims as an existential threat to non-Muslims.” Centre for Research on Extremism
Sources:
What is Islamophobia? - C-REX - Center for Research on Extremism 2020
Resources:
A look at Islamophobia in Canada, 3 years after the Quebec mosque shooting | Globalnews.ca