Racial Justice Theology

Racism: A belief that one race is inherently superior to others, leading to discrimination and

prejudice based on race.

Discrimination: Unjust treatment of different categories of people, often based on race,

gender, age, or other characteristics.

Prejudice: A preconceived opinion or judgment about an individual or group, often without

sufficient knowledge.

Implicit Bias: Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect understanding, actions, and

decisions in an unconscious manner.

Systemic Racism: Policies and practices entrenched in established institutions that

perpetuate racial inequality.

Institutional Racism: Discriminatory practices within and by institutions that disadvantage

people based on their race.

Microaggressions: Everyday, subtle, unintentional, and oftentimes dismissive interactions or

behaviors that reinforce stereotypes or negative perceptions of marginalized groups.

White Privilege: Societal privileges that benefit white people over non-white people, often

without the privilege-holder being aware of it.

Colorism: Discrimination based on skin color, often favoring lighter skin tones over darker

ones within the same racial or ethnic group.

Xenophobia: Fear or hatred of that which is perceived to be foreign or strange, often directed

at people from different countries or cultures.

Cultural Appropriation: The adoption of elements of one culture by members of another

culture, often without permission or understanding, and can perpetuate stereotypes or harm.

Racial Profiling: The practice of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on their

race or ethnicity.

Affirmative Action: Policies designed to increase opportunities for historically marginalized

groups, often in education and employment.

Anti-Racism: Active opposition to racism and promotion of racial equity through advocacy,

education, and policy change.

Intersectionality: A framework for understanding how various forms of inequality and

discrimination (like race, gender, class) intersect and overlap.