Key Terms Related to Race and Racism

A collection of key terms and definitions related to discussions of race, racism, and their implications in society.

Race

A social construct and not a biological fact; categories created to support the belief in the superiority of some groups over others.

Racism

The combination of racist policies and ideas that produces racial inequities and normalizes them within society.

Systemic Racism

Racism that is embedded in large social structures or institutions like governments and schools.

Historical Wound

A trauma or harmful event from the past that continues to affect the present.

Collective Memory

The memory of a group of people, passed from one generation to the next.

Transgenerational Trauma

The transmission of trauma symptoms and behaviors from one generation to the next.

Intersectionality

The acknowledgment that unique experiences of discrimination and oppression can overlap for individuals belonging to multiple marginalized groups.

Internalization

The process of integrating attitudes, values, and opinions of others into one's own identity.

Colorism

Prejudice or discrimination against individuals with darker skin tones, usually within the same ethnic or racial group.

Prejudice

A bias or preconceived opinion about something, particularly without good reason.

Stereotype

A widely held but oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

Assumption

Something accepted as true or certain to happen without proof.

Individual Identity

A subjective sense of self based on unique traits.

Collective Identity

The way people define themselves in relation to others, based on shared aspects or experiences.

Subversion

The act of undermining the power and authority of an established system.

Power

The relational ability to influence others and access control over resources.

Privilege

An often unseen advantage within a society due to social or cultural beliefs.

Normalization

The process through which unusual ideas and behaviors become regarded as normal.

Desensitization

A process that reduces emotional responsiveness to stimuli after repeated exposure.

White Supremacy

Belief systems that advocate for the dominance of whites over others and view them as superior.

Historical Revisionism

The reinterpretation of historical accounts that challenges established views, introducing contrary evidence.