#WriteInclusion Factsheets
Expanded glossary of terms
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Asian American
A term used to describe an American of Asian descent. It’s not an ideal term because it collapses countless identities and cultures into one label and often only refers to the East Asian American experience. For more on the complexity of this label, as well as the larger “Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI)” label, here is a helpful video.
A term used to describe an American of Asian descent. It’s not an ideal term because it collapses countless identities and cultures into one label and often only refers to the East Asian American experience. For more on the complexity of this label, as well as the larger “Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI)” label, here is a helpful video.
Asian Latinx
Two of America’s fastest-growing ethnic groups are Asian and Latino, and they aren’t mutually exclusive. For centuries, Asian immigrants have settled throughout Latin America. There are Korean communities in Mexico and Argentina; Chinatowns everywhere from Santo Domingo to Lima; and there’s a major Japanese population in Brazil. The immigrants’ descendants carry both Asian and Latin American identities. In the U.S., Asians and Latinos have lived side-by-side in heavily immigrant neighborhoods and have created lives together. See here for more details.
Two of America’s fastest-growing ethnic groups are Asian and Latino, and they aren’t mutually exclusive. For centuries, Asian immigrants have settled throughout Latin America. There are Korean communities in Mexico and Argentina; Chinatowns everywhere from Santo Domingo to Lima; and there’s a major Japanese population in Brazil. The immigrants’ descendants carry both Asian and Latin American identities. In the U.S., Asians and Latinos have lived side-by-side in heavily immigrant neighborhoods and have created lives together. See here for more details.
Baby Mama/Daddy
These terms have a context-specific meaning within Black culture, but when used by people who aren’t Black, especially in official capacities (like newscasters), the meaning changes. They undermine the serious- ness of real relationships and imply a lack of personal responsibility.
These terms have a context-specific meaning within Black culture, but when used by people who aren’t Black, especially in official capacities (like newscasters), the meaning changes. They undermine the seriousness of real relationships and imply a lack of personal responsibility.
Code-Switching
The practice of alternating between two or more languages or varieties of language in conversation. For instance, Latinx Americans who speak a combination of Spanish, Indigenous/Native dialects, and English or Black Americans who speak African American Vernacular English (or Black English) and English. Code-switching is often used at home or among members of the same communities, and people don’t necessarily code-switch to someone who doesn’t speak their same language.
The practice of alternating between two or more languages or varieties of language in conversation. For instance, Latinx Americans who speak a combination of Spanish, Indigenous/Native dialects, and English or Black Americans who speak African American Vernacular English (or Black English) and English. Code-switching is often used at home or among members of the same communities, and people don’t necessarily code-switch to someone who doesn’t speak their same language.
Cultural Hybridity
The practice of someone maintaining customs and values of two or more different cultures that make up their identity. In engaging with their separate cultures, someone can create a new hybrid identity that seeks to balance these multiple parts of them. Cultural hybridity is an ongoing, active, and fluid process that is shaped by history and background.
The practice of someone maintaining customs and values of two or more different cultures that make up their identity. In engaging with their separate cultures, someone can create a new hybrid identity that seeks to balance these multiple parts of them. Cultural hybridity is an ongoing, active, and fluid process that is shaped by history and background.
Diaspora
A community of people from the same homeland who have been scattered or have migrated to other lands. While most often associated with the Jewish people expelled from the Kingdom of Israel in the 6th century BCE, the diaspora of many ethnic groups is found around the world today. 1) A diaspora is a group of people who have been forced from or chosen to leave their homeland to settle in other lands; 2) People of a diaspora typically preserve and celebrate the culture and traditions of their homeland; 3) Diaspora may be created by voluntary emigration or by force, as in the cases of wars, enslavement, or natural disasters. For more.
A community of people from the same homeland who have been scattered or have migrated to other lands. While most often associated with the Jewish people expelled from the Kingdom of Israel in the 6th century BCE, the diaspora of many ethnic groups is found around the world today.
1) A diaspora is a group of people who have been forced from or chosen to leave their homeland to settle in other lands;
2) People of a diaspora typically preserve and celebrate the culture and traditions of their homeland;
3) Diaspora may be created by voluntary emigration or by force, as in the cases of wars, enslavement, or natural disasters. For more.
Domestic Worker
Hired to perform household and caregiving duties in an employer’s private home or residence (e.g., housekeeper, nanny, gardener, au pair, chauffeur, in-home aide, babysitter). These professionals (majority women, mostly immigrants and BIPOC) do difficult, skilled work, often without basic labor rights and protections.
Hired to perform household and caregiving duties in an employer’s private home or residence (e.g., housekeeper, nanny, gardener, au pair, chauffeur, in-home aide, babysitter). These professionals (majority women, mostly immigrants and BIPOC) do difficult, skilled work, often without basic labor rights and protections.
Dusky Maiden
A colonial, racist, sexist stereotype of Polynesian women as “exotic,” passive objects with dark, flowing hair and brown skin. The “dusky maiden” was a common depiction in European colonial paintings that evolved into representations in newer media.
A colonial, racist, sexist stereotype of Polynesian women as “exotic,” passive objects with dark, flowing hair and brown skin. The “dusky maiden” was a common depiction in European colonial paintings that evolved into representations in newer media.
Emotional Labor
The process of managing feelings and expressions in order to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job. More specifically, when workers have to regulate emotions to shape the minds of superiors, co-workers, and customers. Emotional labor more often falls on BIPOC people, especially women (e.g., swallowing down feelings about a racist or sexist comment so as not to make things awkward for another individual, having to fake positivity to placate a customer).
The process of managing feelings and expressions in order to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job. More specifically, when workers have to regulate emotions to shape the minds of superiors, co-workers, and customers. Emotional labor more often falls on BIPOC people, especially women (e.g., swallowing down feelings about a racist or sexist comment so as not to make things awkward for another individual, having to fake positivity to placate a customer).
Fa'afafine/Fa'afatama
Samoa has historically and continues to recognize four cultural genders: man, woman, fa'afafine, and fa’afatama. Fa’afafine people are assigned male at birth, and this term translates to “in the manner of a woman.” Fa'afatama people are assigned female at birth, and this term translates to “in the manner of a man.” Both fa'afafine and fa'afatama people move fluidly between traditional man and woman gender roles and don’t fit neatly into western concepts of gay, trans, or queer. In Samoa, fa'afafine and fa'afatama people tend to take on community caregiver roles for elders and educate men and women about sex, a topic considered taboo for those genders. Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with these identities may code-switch and call themselves trans women, trans men, non-binary, or gay in order for their identity to be legible to others. For more.
Samoa has historically and continues to recognize four cultural genders: man, woman, fa'afafine, and fa’afatama. Fa’afafine people are assigned male at birth, and this term translates to “in the manner of a woman.” Fa'afatama people are assigned female at birth, and this term translates to “in the manner of a man.” Both fa'afafine and fa'afatama people move fluidly between traditional man and woman gender roles and don’t fit neatly into western concepts of gay, trans, or queer. In Samoa, fa'afafine and fa'afatama people tend to take on community caregiver roles for elders and educate men and women about sex, a topic considered taboo for those genders. Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with these identities may code-switch and call themselves trans women, trans men, non-binary, or gay in order for their identity to be legible to others. For more.
Fakaleitī
A Tongan “third gender” used to describe someone who was assigned male at birth but who has a feminine gender expression. The term translates to “like a lady.” Fakaleitī is one of many culturally specific genders represented across the Pacific Islands and around the world. Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with this identity may code-switch and call themselves trans women, gay men, or non-binary in order for their identity to be legible to others. For more on the fakaleitī identity, here is a personal account.
A Tongan “third gender” used to describe someone who was assigned male at birth but who has a feminine gender expression. The term translates to “like a lady.” Fakaleitī is one of many culturally specific genders represented across the Pacific Islands and around the world. Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with this identity may code-switch and call themselves trans women, gay men, or non-binary in order for their identity to be legible to others. For more on the fakaleitī identity, here is a personal account.
Generational Trauma
The long-term psychological effects of trauma (both personal and communal) that can be passed down through generations of families and cultures. Beyond psychological, these generational effects are also familial, social, cultural, neurobiological, and possibly even genetic.
The long-term psychological effects of trauma (both personal and communal) that can be passed down through generations of families and cultures. Beyond psychological, these generational effects are also familial, social, cultural, neurobiological, and possibly even genetic.
Hapa
In the Hawaiian language, a word that means “half” or “part.” Among Hawaiians, the term is used to refer to someone who is of mixed ethnic heritage. There is some debate around who gets to use this word and how it’s used, which you can read more about here.
In the Hawaiian language, a word that means “half” or “part.” Among Hawaiians, the term is used to refer to someone who is of mixed ethnic heritage. There is some debate around who gets to use this word and how it’s used, which you can read more about here.
Hawaii vs. Hawai’i
In English, “Hawaii” refers to the U.S. state, and “Hawai’i” refers to the largest island within the state. However, in the Hawaiian language, the spelling of the state is “Hawai’i,” a spelling that should be used to honor Native Hawaiians. Because of the Hawaiian Statehood Act of 1959, which used “Hawaii,” the spelling of the state in English cannot officially be changed without an Act of Congress. (Note: “Hawaiian” is always spelled without the ‘okina.)
In English, “Hawaii” refers to the U.S. state, and “Hawai’i” refers to the largest island within the state. However, in the Hawaiian language, the spelling of the state is “Hawai’i,” a spelling that should be used to honor Native Hawaiians. Because of the Hawaiian Statehood Act of 1959, which used “Hawaii,” the spelling of the state in English cannot officially be changed without an Act of Congress. (Note: “Hawaiian” is always spelled without the ‘okina.)
Identity
An intrinsic, embodied part of who someone is (e.g., race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability), not to be confused with the various experiences, ideologies, and preferences they identify with (e.g., careers, politics, hobbies). Identity shapes our everyday life, psychology, culture, relationships, behavior, and shared history. Identity is deeply personal and language used to describe it is ever-evolving. We must be open to new language as understanding shifts; it’s vital to use the terms, names, and pronouns others use for themselves. Note: Avoid the phrasing “identify as” (e.g. “she is a woman” instead of “she identifies as a woman”; “they are non-binary” vs “they identify as non-binary”).
An intrinsic, embodied part of who someone is (e.g., race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability), not to be confused with the various experiences, ideologies, and preferences they identify with (e.g., careers, politics, hobbies). Identity shapes our everyday life, psychology, culture, relationships, behavior, and shared history. Identity is deeply personal and language used to describe it is ever-evolving. We must be open to new language as understanding shifts; it’s vital to use the terms, names, and pronouns others use for themselves. Note: Avoid the phrasing “identify as” (e.g. “she is a woman” instead of “she identifies as a woman”; “they are non-binary” vs “they identify as non-binary”).
Immigrants
Those who move to take permanent residence in a new country.
Those who move to take permanent residence in a new country.
Māhū
In Native Hawaiian and Tahitian cultures, a “third gender” of people who embody both a male and female spirit. They are respected healers, caretakers, and teachers. Nearly erased by Christian colonizers in the 1800s, there has been a resurgence among Native Hawaiians and Tahitians to reclaim the māhū identity and their cultural understandings of gender. Māhū gender expression is considered to be very fluid. Mahukane is a newly coined term of empowerment in Hawai’i, representing people assigned female at birth who have a masculine gender expression/identity; mahuwahine is another newly coined term of empowerment, representing people assigned male at birth who have a feminine gender expression/identity. Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with these identities may code-switch and call themselves trans women, trans men, or non-binary in order for their gender to be legible to others. For more.
In Native Hawaiian and Tahitian cultures, a “third gender” of people who embody both a male and female spirit. They are respected healers, caretakers, and teachers. Nearly erased by Christian colonizers in the 1800s, there has been a resurgence among Native Hawaiians and Tahitians to reclaim the māhū identity and their cultural understandings of gender. Māhū gender expression is considered to be very fluid. Mahukane is a newly coined term of empowerment in Hawai’i, representing people assigned female at birth who have a masculine gender expression/identity; mahuwahine is another newly coined term of empowerment, representing people assigned male at birth who have a feminine gender expression/identity. Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with these identities may code-switch and call themselves trans women, trans men, or non-binary in order for their gender to be legible to others. For more.
Melanesia
A subregion of Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean made up of four independent countries: Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands; as well as a number of islands, archipelagos, and atolls including Admiralty Islands, Bougainville Island, New Guinea, Western New Guinea, Aru Islands, New Caledonia, and Norfolk Island.
A subregion of Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean made up of four independent countries: Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands; as well as a number of islands, archipelagos, and atolls including Admiralty Islands, Bougainville Island, New Guinea, Western New Guinea, Aru Islands, New Caledonia, and Norfolk Island.
Micronesia
A subregion of Oceania in the western Pacific Ocean comprising thousands of islands, including Kiribati, Nauru, the Mariana Islands (e.g., Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian), the Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia (made up of 607 islands).
A subregion of Oceania in the western Pacific Ocean comprising thousands of islands, including Kiribati, Nauru, the Mariana Islands (e.g., Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian), the Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia (made up of 607 islands).