Words Matter: Anti-Oppression Terminologies
Information to help learn the meaning of terms and concepts related to different forms of oppression.
Words matter.
And that's why we created this guide.
The resources it points to can help people learn the meanings of words and concepts used when people talk or write about different types of oppression. Some of these words may be familiar to many people, others less so. We hope there is something to help everyone learn new information.
Other Library Info Guides to visit
These resources each share definitions that relate to different types of oppression.
- Key Equity Terms and Concepts: A Glossary for Shared UnderstandingSOURCE: Centre for the Study of Social Policy
- Glossary of Human Right TermsSOURCE: Appendix 1, Teaching human rights in Ontario - A guide for Ontario schools. Ontario Human Rights Commission.
- ABC’s of Social Justice A Glossary of Working Language for Socially Conscious ConversationSOURCE: Department of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement, Lewis and Clark College
- Social Justice DefinitionsSOURCE: National Conference for Community and Justice (United States)
- Terms & DefinitionsSOURCE: Office of Diversity, Culture and Inclusion, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
1989: Kimberlé Crenshaw coins the term
- Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist PoliticsSOURCE: Kimberlé Crenshaw, in University of Chicago Legal Forum: Vol. 1989 , Article 8.
SUMMARY: This is the article where Crenshaw first developed the concept of intersectionality.
- Kimberlé Crenshaw: the woman who revolutionised feminism – and landed at the heart of the culture warsSOURCE: The Guardian. author: Aamna Mohdin
Intersectionality
- A Primer on IntersectionalitySOURCE: African American Policy Forum
SUMMARY: see, especially page 7 " 'What Kind of Ally are You?' * Or, What is your Disaster Relief Kit?" This is the text of a speech by the person who coined the term "intersectionality", Kimberlé Crenshaw. She shares accessible explanations about how oppressions are intersectional. - Intersectionality 101SOURCE: Olena Hankivsk, The Institute for Intersectionality Research & Policy, Simon Fraser University
Ableism and Disability
- Words with DignitySOURCE: Disability Issues Office, Government of Manitoba
- Disability Language Style GuideSOURCE: National Center on Disability and Journalism, Arizona State University
- Accessibility glossarySOURCE: TERMIUM Plus®, Translation Bureau, Government of Canada
- This Is How To Talk About Disability, According To Disabled PeopleSOURCE: by J.R. Thorpe for Bustle
SUMMARY: This article describes the difference between "person-first" and "identity-first" language, and outlines the reasons one or the other may be preferred.
Classism
- Class DefinitionsSOURCE: Class Action
- What Is Social Class, and Why Does it Matter?SOURCE: Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D., thoughtco.com
- ClassimSOURCE: National Conference for Community and Justice (United States)
Gender, Gender Identity, & Sexuality
- The 519 Glossary of TermsSOURCE: The 519 (a LGBTQ2S health agency in Toronto)
- GLAAD media guide: TermsSOURCE: Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
SUMMARY: Glossary of terms, includes mention of terms to avoid using. - Gender and sexual diversity glossarySOURCE: TERMIUM Plus®, Translation Bureau, Government of Canada
- Gender Justice GlossarySOURCE: LGBT Resource Center, University of California-San Diego
Indigenous-related & Settler Colonialism
- Indigenous Peoples: A Guide to TerminologySOURCE: Bob Joseph, Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.
SUMMARY: "...includes explanations of 43 different terms in use today in building Indigenous relations."
Settler Colonialism / Settler colonial societies / Settlers
- What is Settler Colonialism?SOURCE: Learning for Justice, author: Amanda Morris
SUMMARY: A short article with suggestions for additional reading and classroom instruction. Addresses the questions: "What Is Settler-colonialism?" and "Who Are Settler-colonizers?" .
Learning for Justice is a long-time resource for teachers, founded by the Southern Poverty Law Centre. - Settler ColonialismSOURCE: Global Social Theory website. Authors: Adam Barkwell & Emma Battell Lowman
SUMMARY: This is a short article that includes recommended reading and also reflection questions. - Settler / Settler ColonialismSOURCE: Canadian Race Relations Foundation
- Being Colonial: Colonial mentalities in Canadian Settler society and political theorySOURCE: Adam Barker, Master of Arts, Indigenous Governance, University of Victoria
NOTES: find an explanation and discussion of the term "settler" on pages 22-24. - Chapter 2: "Learning in Indigenous Sovereignty: Engaging Knowledge and Relations" in Living in Indigenous Sovereignty: Relational Accountability and the Stories of White Settler Anti-colonial and Decolonial ActivistsSOURCE: Elizabeth Carlson, PhD dissertation, Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba
SUMMARY: Discussions and explanation of terms and concepts related to non-Indigenous peoples and settler colonialism. This dissertation is written in a way that is more accessible for non-academic readers.
NOTES: Section starts at the first full paragraph on page 17, through to the top of page 26.
Racism
- Race Is a Social Construct, Scientists ArgueSOURCE: Scientific American
- Racism DefinedSOURCE: DRWorks (Dismantling Racism Works)
- Racial Equity Tools GlossarySOURCE: Racial Equity Tools
- Forms of Racism: Individual and SystemicSOURCE: Calgary Anti-Racism Education
Sexism
- Feminist GlossarySource: Rosie (an Australian-based national harm prevention initiative for women and girls). author: Maggie Crehan
- Feminist Movement Builder's DictionarySOURCE: JASS (JustAssociates - an international feminist organizing non-governmental organization)