Need to know terminology

In today's increasingly interconnected world, the concepts of diversity and inclusion have become central to our understanding of a healthy, dynamic society. Whether in the workplace, within communities, or here at Leicester, embracing diversity and fostering inclusion are vital for promoting understanding, respect, and opportunities for all. 

However, the terminology used in discussions about diversity and inclusion can sometimes be complex and nuanced. This article aims to demystify these terms, offering clear definitions and explanations to enhance understanding and encourage meaningful conversations.

·      Diversity: Valuing differences between people, including both visible and non-visible characteristics.

·      Equality: Treating everyone the same and offering the same opportunities, irrespective of identity.

·      Equity: Providing different levels of support to ensure everyone has equal opportunities.

·      Inclusion: Creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued.

·      EDI: An acronym for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

·      Intersectionality: The combination of multiple forms of discrimination and how we hold multiple, intersecting identities.

·      Code-switching: Adjusting behaviour, speech, or expression based on context, safety, and comfort to protect against discrimination.

·      Liberation: Freeing ourselves from structural oppression by fighting against discrimination and exploitation.

·      Microaggression: A small act or remark that makes someone feel insulted or treated badly because of their race, sex, etc., even though the insult may not have been intended. These acts can combine with other similar acts or remarks over time to cause emotional harm.

·      Minoritised: The treatment of a person or group as distinct from and less important than the dominant population; marginalizing them.

·      BAME: An acronym for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnicity.

·      Race: The idea that people can be divided into different groups based on physical characteristics they are perceived to share, such as skin colour, eye shape, etc., or the act of dividing people in this way.

·      Nationality: The official right to belong to a particular country or a group of people of the same race, religion, traditions, etc.

·      Ethnicity: The quality or fact of belonging to a population group or subgroup made up of people who share a common cultural background or descent.

·      Heritage: Features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages, or buildings, that were created in the past and still have historical importance; a person's racial, ethnic, religious, or cultural background.

·      Discrimination: Treating a person or group of people differently, especially in a worse way than others, because of their race, gender, sexuality, etc.

·      Culture: The way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time; the attitudes, behaviour, and opinions of a particular group of people within society.

·      Sex: Refers to a person’s biological characteristics including chromosomes, hormonal profiles and reproductive organs. These characteristics are typically categorised as male or female at birth.

·      Gender: Refers to the societal norms associated with being male, female, or non-binary. Gender is a social and cultural construct that varies across different societies and may not align with biological sex.