#WriteInclusion Factsheets

Expanded glossary of terms

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African Americans, East Asians, Indigenous People, Disabled People, Latinx People, Migrants, Muslims, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, South Asians, Southeast Asians, LGBTQIA+, Middle Eastern & North African People Alexandra Fiber African Americans, East Asians, Indigenous People, Disabled People, Latinx People, Migrants, Muslims, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, South Asians, Southeast Asians, LGBTQIA+, Middle Eastern & North African People Alexandra Fiber

Minority Stress

Chronically high levels of stress endured by members of stigmatized communities (e.g., BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, religious minorities, HIV+) caused by the prejudice, discrimination, and systemic oppression they face. This leads to a number of negative mental and physical health disparities among these groups (e.g., internalized racism, transphobia, homophobia; increased risk-taking behavior; anxiety; high blood pressure).

Chronically high levels of stress endured by members of stigmatized communities (e.g., BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, religious minorities, HIV+) caused by the prejudice, discrimination, and systemic oppression they face. This leads to a number of negative mental and physical health disparities among these groups (e.g., internalized racism, transphobia, homophobia; increased risk-taking behavior; anxiety; high blood pressure).

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East Asians, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, South Asians, Southeast Asians Alexandra Fiber East Asians, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, South Asians, Southeast Asians Alexandra Fiber

Model Minority

Refers to the idea that some underrepresented groups in the U.S., especially Asian Americans, are perceived to have certain “positive” traits (e.g., industrious, politically undisruptive, intelligent, inoffensive, successful). This myth erases differences among individuals, while also driving a racial wedge between Asians and other underrepresented groups in the U.S.

Refers to the idea that some underrepresented groups in the U.S., especially Asian Americans, are perceived to have certain “positive” traits (e.g., industrious, politically undisruptive, intelligent, inoffensive, successful). This myth erases differences among individuals, while also driving a racial wedge between Asians and other underrepresented groups in the U.S.

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African Americans, Disabled People, East Asians, Indigenous People, Latinx People, Migrants, Muslims, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Older Adults, Pacific Islanders, South Asians, Southeast Asians, Women & Girls, LGBTQIA+, Middle Eastern & North African People Alexandra Fiber African Americans, Disabled People, East Asians, Indigenous People, Latinx People, Migrants, Muslims, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Older Adults, Pacific Islanders, South Asians, Southeast Asians, Women & Girls, LGBTQIA+, Middle Eastern & North African People Alexandra Fiber

Othering

A pattern of exclusion and marginalization based on having identities that are different from the perceived “norms” of a community, social group, nation, etc. It relies on an “us vs. them” mentality.

A pattern of exclusion and marginalization based on having identities that are different from the perceived “norms” of a community, social group, nation, etc. It relies on an “us vs. them” mentality.

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African Americans, East Asians, Indigenous People, Latinx People, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, South Asians, Southeast Asians, Muslims, LGBTQIA+ Alexandra Fiber African Americans, East Asians, Indigenous People, Latinx People, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, South Asians, Southeast Asians, Muslims, LGBTQIA+ Alexandra Fiber

Passing

The ability for a person in an oppressed group to move through the world as a more privileged identity than the one they are. In BIPOC communities, passing refers to a person, often mixed-race, with features that adhere to Eurocentric beauty standards (e.g., light skin, straight hair) who may be mistaken for being white. For trans people, this means being perceived as cisgender by others. (Note: trans women perceived as women are not "passing as women" – they are women. The same is true for trans men – they are men.) Passing is not a goal for all trans people but can aid in a trans person’s safety. Passing is also sometimes used to describe gay, lesbian, bi+, or ace people who are perceived as heterosexual until they disclose their sexual orientation.

The ability for a person in an oppressed group to move through the world as a more privileged identity than the one they are. In BIPOC communities, passing refers to a person, often mixed-race, with features that adhere to Eurocentric beauty standards (e.g., light skin, straight hair) who may be mistaken for being white. For trans people, this means being perceived as cisgender by others.

Note: trans women perceived as women are not "passing as women" – they are women. The same is true for trans men – they are men. Passing is not a goal for all trans people but can aid in a trans person’s safety. Passing is also sometimes used to describe gay, lesbian, bi+, or ace people who are perceived as heterosexual until they disclose their sexual orientation.

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African Americans, East Asians, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, Indigenous People, Older Adults, South Asians, Southeast Asians, Middle Eastern & North African People Alexandra Fiber African Americans, East Asians, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, Indigenous People, Older Adults, South Asians, Southeast Asians, Middle Eastern & North African People Alexandra Fiber

Race-Related Stressors on Aging

A race-related stressor is something that causes psychological or emotional distress that an individual or group of people experience as a result of being a target of a racial discriminatory action (e.g., microaggressions, hate crimes, institutionalized racism). These stressors impact how individuals or racial and ethnic populations age (e.g., African Americans have higher rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s due to chronic stress; Arab Americans report high levels of depression and anxiety due to bias-motivated violence; Asian Americans’ health conditions often go untreated due to a lack of culturally and linguistically accessible care; Latinx Americans have high rates of negative mental health outcomes due to bigotry and prejudice; Native Americans and Alaskan Natives have a lower life expectancy because of disproportionate poverty, discrimination in the delivery of health services, and cultural differences). Overall, older people among ethnic minorities report poorer health outcomes than white older people no matter their social and economic conditions. More on African Americans here and here, and more on Arab Americans here.

A race-related stressor is something that causes psychological or emotional distress that an individual or group of people experience as a result of being a target of a racial discriminatory action (e.g., microaggressions, hate crimes, institutionalized racism). These stressors impact how individuals or racial and ethnic populations age (e.g., African Americans have higher rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s due to chronic stress; Arab Americans report high levels of depression and anxiety due to bias-motivated violence; Asian Americans’ health conditions often go untreated due to a lack of culturally and linguistically accessible care; Latinx Americans have high rates of negative mental health outcomes due to bigotry and prejudice; Native Americans and Alaskan Natives have a lower life expectancy because of disproportionate poverty, discrimination in the delivery of health services, and cultural differences).

Overall, older people among ethnic minorities report poorer health outcomes than white older people no matter their social and economic conditions. More on African Americans here and here, and more on Arab Americans here.

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South Asians Alexandra Fiber South Asians Alexandra Fiber

Religions

South Asians practice a wide variety of religions includ- ing Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, and Zoroastrianism. Many are also atheists and agnostics.

South Asians practice a wide variety of religions including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, and Zoroastrianism. Many are also atheists and agnostics.

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African Americans, Criminal Justice, Disabled People, East Asians, Indigenous People, Latinx People, Migrants, Muslims, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Older Adults, Pacific Islanders, South Asians, Southeast Asians, US Military Veterans, Women & Girls, LGBTQIA+, Middle Eastern & North African People Alexandra Fiber African Americans, Criminal Justice, Disabled People, East Asians, Indigenous People, Latinx People, Migrants, Muslims, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Older Adults, Pacific Islanders, South Asians, Southeast Asians, US Military Veterans, Women & Girls, LGBTQIA+, Middle Eastern & North African People Alexandra Fiber

Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)

(SDoH): The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels. Conditions (e.g., social, economic, physical) in these various environments and settings (e.g., school, church, workplace, neighborhood) have been referred to as “place.” In addition to the more material aspects of “place,” patterns of social engagement and sense of security and well-being are also affected by where people live. Resources that enhance quality of life can have a significant influence on population health outcomes (e.g., safe and affordable housing, availability of healthy foods, toxin-free environments). How population groups experience “place” directly impacts the specific social components of SDoH (e.g., access to educational, economic, and job opportunities; public safety; language and literacy) and public components of SDoH (e.g., natural environments, built environments). See here for more details.

The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels. Conditions (e.g., social, economic, physical) in these various environments and settings (e.g., school, church, workplace, neighborhood) have been referred to as “place.” In addition to the more material aspects of “place,” patterns of social engagement and sense of security and well-being are also affected by where people live.

Resources that enhance quality of life can have a significant influence on population health outcomes (e.g., safe and affordable housing, availability of healthy foods, toxin-free environments). How population groups experience “place” directly impacts the specific social components of SDoH (e.g., access to educational, economic, and job opportunities; public safety; language and literacy) and public components of SDoH (e.g., natural environments, built environments). See here for more details.

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African Americans, Disabled People, East Asians, Indigenous People, Latinx People, Migrants, Muslims, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Older Adults, Women & Girls, US Military Veterans, Southeast Asians, South Asians, Pacific Islanders, Criminal Justice, LGBTQIA+, Middle Eastern & North African People Alexandra Fiber African Americans, Disabled People, East Asians, Indigenous People, Latinx People, Migrants, Muslims, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Older Adults, Women & Girls, US Military Veterans, Southeast Asians, South Asians, Pacific Islanders, Criminal Justice, LGBTQIA+, Middle Eastern & North African People Alexandra Fiber

Trauma Porn

Refers to art or media that exploits the pain, suffering, and brutalization of marginalized people for the sake of entertainment. These depictions cater to non-marginalized viewers and characters rather than exploring the experience, situation, or POV of the person(s) being victimized. These kinds of depictions are harmful for all viewers as they deny the life and livelihood of those being victimized, devaluing their existence in our communities and society, granting no opportunity for empathy and deeper understanding.

Refers to art or media that exploits the pain, suffering, and brutalization of marginalized people for the sake of entertainment. These depictions cater to non-marginalized viewers and characters rather than exploring the experience, situation, or POV of the person(s) being victimized. These kinds of depictions are harmful for all viewers as they deny the life and livelihood of those being victimized, devaluing their existence in our communities and society, granting no opportunity for empathy and deeper understanding.

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East Asians, Latinx People, Women & Girls, US Military Veterans, Muslims, Migrants, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, Indigenous People, Older Adults, South Asians, Southeast Asians, Disabled People, African Americans, LGBTQIA+, Middle Eastern & North African People Alexandra Fiber East Asians, Latinx People, Women & Girls, US Military Veterans, Muslims, Migrants, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, Indigenous People, Older Adults, South Asians, Southeast Asians, Disabled People, African Americans, LGBTQIA+, Middle Eastern & North African People Alexandra Fiber

U.S. Census

The U.S. Constitution mandates that America gets only one chance every 10 years to count its population. The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. The data collected determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives (a process called apportionment) and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities. Find more here.

The U.S. Constitution mandates that America gets only one chance every 10 years to count its population. The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. The data collected determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives (a process called apportionment) and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities. Find more here.

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