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Definitions -
Creating a Common Language
Language is ever-evolving
Language reflects the thinking about important issues. . . and can also
lead to changes in thinking. There are many different ways to define these
words. This list includes words and definitions I have found useful and
interesting. This list will be on the website . . . and will grow and change
as we do our work around issues of diversity.
Acculturation
Two way street of change, gains, and adaptations incorporating new cultural
elements with a pre-existing one.
Affirmative Action
Federal law aimed at correcting the effects of discrimination in the
employment or education of members of certain groups.
Ally
An individual or group that shares a commonality of purpose with the
struggles of another group.
Assimilation
Surrendering aspects of one's culture identity in an attempt to enjoy the
privileges of the dominant group.
Assumptions
Unconscious rationales for applying beliefs and behaviors, accepting
supposed truths.
Beliefs
Value statements as to what we hold true or false, relevant or irrelevant,
good or bad.
Bias
Preference that keeps you from making an impartial judgment.
Collusion
Cooperation with others, knowingly or unknowingly, to reinforce
stereotypical attitudes, prevailing behaviors, and norms. Types of collusion
include silence, denial, active participation.
Cultural competence
A set of congruent behaviors, languages, belief systems, attitudes and
policies that reflect the capacity and capability of an individual, agency,
or service system to respond appropriately and effectively to the cultural
history, norms, values, and needs of targeted populations and communities in
the conduct of prevention activities.
Cultural
Frame of reference consisting of learned patterns of behavior, history,
values, assumptions, political-economic interests, experience, sexual
orientation, arts, lifestyles etc. Shared by varying degrees of interest,
importance, and awareness within members of a group. A framework for
people's interpretation and response to the world. Culture is constantly
evolving.
Discrimination
The systematic, intended or unintended, denial or recognition, power,
privilege, and opportunity to certain people based on the dynamics' or
philosophies' of the groups to which they belong.
Diversity
Any collective mixture characterized by differences and similarities.
Differences may be in respect to age, class, ethnicity, gender, physical and
mental ability, race, sexual orientation, spiritual practice, or other human
differences.
Diversity Management
Creating and maintaining an environment that naturally enables all members
to contribute to their full potential in pursuit of organizational
objectives.
Dominant
A term referring to a group of people who influence and control many aspects
of a cultural system or a political system. In the US, white people, men,
heterosexuals, and non-disabled people are dominant groups. The term is not
synonymous with "majority".
Ethnic
Adjective describing a group of people sharing common cultural elements
usually including geographic origin and ancestral origin.
Ethnocentrism
A tendency to view other groups or cultures using one's own culture as a
model; the belief in the inherent superiority of one's own groups and
cultures.
Hispanic
A term coined in the 1970's by US Government demographers. Refers to growing
multiracial, culturally mixed group of US inhabitants with origins in any
one of the many Latin-American nations. The term Latino is often preferred.
Managing Workforce Diversity
A process of addressing diversity mixtures in a manner that maximizes their
contribution to desired objectives.
Multicultural Organizations
Organizations that value human difference as a competitive advantage, have a
pluralistic culture that reflects the interests, contributions, and value of
members of diverse groups and the community; has full and influential
participation by all members of the organization in decisions and policies
that shape the organization; and eliminate discrimination throughout the
organization.
Multiculturalism
The practice of acknowledging and respecting the various cultures,
religions, races, ethnic groups, attitudes, and opinions within an
environment.
Native American
A term including over 300 separate and distinct tribes and nations with
unique languages, customs, beliefs, and histories.
Pluralism
A culture that incorporates mutual respect, acceptance, teamwork, and
productivity among diverse people. It allows for and maintains a common
culture while preserving the rights of individuals and groups to maintain
their cultural heritage. It is a kinetic versus a static "ism".
Prejudice
An unfavorable attitude toward a group usually formulated independent of
experience. Preconceived idea or opinion. Tendency to see differences as
weaknesses.
Privilege
Power and advantages benefiting a group derived from the historical
oppression and exploitation of other groups.
Race
A concept born in the 1600's based on origin and physical characteristics or
groups of people.
Racism
Racial prejudice combined with institutional power used to the advantage of
one race and to the detriment of others.
Stereotype
A fixed oversimplified generalization. A false idea that all people in a
"group" are the same.
Truth
Truth is illusive and complex. Truth is made up of diverse perspectives.
Truth is an eternal conservation
ECOP: Extension Committee on Organization and
Policy
1987 held dialogue on Diversity leading to a 1988-90 Task Force on
Diversity in Extension
SED: Subcommittee on Extension Diversity
Mission - "Facilitate and monitor the implementation of the Emphasis
on Diversity in CES to achieve and sustain diversity and
pluralism."
CAS: Change Agent States for diversity, with eight
state catalyst teams
1999 RFP, review and selection of eight states to participate in a
three-year consortium to address issues of diversity and pluralism within
their states and to act as change agents, modeling effective strategies for
others. Northeast: NY, PA; south: NC, GA; North Central: ND, MO; West, CO,
AZ.
CSREES: Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension
CSREES is a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture. CSREES
has research and education information about many subjects, and staff
specialists who can answer your questions or refer you to someone at state
and county level who possesses the information you need.
USDA: United States Department of Agriculture
EGRET: Exploring Global Resources Through Extension
Training
This is a professional development opportunity offered in the country of
Costa Rica. During this trip time is spent visiting agricultural
cooperatives, fruit plantations, a local extension center, and agro-eco
tourism ventures. |
