#WriteInclusion Factsheets
Expanded glossary of terms
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Dalit
An entire population in India and Hindu regions of Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh considered inherently contaminated. Also known as “Untouchables,” Dalits are members of the lowest social group, born below the four primary Hindu castes. The word “Dalit” means “oppressed” or “broken” and is the name members of this group gave themselves in the 1930s. Dalits face discrimination and even violence from members of higher castes, or traditional social classes, particularly in terms of access to jobs, education, and marriage partners. For more.
An entire population in India and Hindu regions of Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh considered inherently contaminated. Also known as “Untouchables,” Dalits are members of the lowest social group, born below the four primary Hindu castes. The word “Dalit” means “oppressed” or “broken” and is the name members of this group gave themselves in the 1930s. Dalits face discrimination and even violence from members of higher castes, or traditional social classes, particularly in terms of access to jobs, education, and marriage partners. For more.
Damsel in Distress
A stereotype where a woman character finds herself in a situation where she needs to be rescued, almost always by a man. She is portrayed as helpless and unable to do anything about her own situation. This trope is especially common in fairy tales and/or stories about princesses.
A stereotype where a woman character finds herself in a situation where she needs to be rescued, almost always by a man. She is portrayed as helpless and unable to do anything about her own situation. This trope is especially common in fairy tales and/or stories about princesses.
Deadnaming
The use, whether intentional or not, of a trans person’s birth name, instead of their chosen name (if they have one). Using a trans person’s old name is offensive, a form of misgendering, and can cause trauma, stress, embarrassment, and gender dysphoria. It is seen as disrespectful of the person, and by extension, all transgender people. Note: Not all trans people use the word “deadnaming,” as it can imply that a trans person dies when they transition. “Birth name” is a preferred alternative.
The use, whether intentional or not, of a trans person’s birth name, instead of their chosen name (if they have one). Using a trans person’s old name is offensive, a form of misgendering, and can cause trauma, stress, embarrassment, and gender dysphoria. It is seen as disrespectful of the person, and by extension, all transgender people.
Note: Not all trans people use the word “deadnaming,” as it can imply that a trans person dies when they transition. “Birth name” is a preferred alternative.
Deaf vs. deaf
“Deaf” with a capital "D" refers to people with hearing loss who consider themselves part of the Deaf community, and share a common culture and language. Alternatively, “deaf” with a lowercase "d" simply refers to someone who’s medically deaf, but doesn’t consider deafness part of their identity or have a connection to the Deaf community. Often, people who identify as Deaf were born deaf, or become Deaf before they acquire spoken language and communicate in sign language, whereas those who identify as deaf are often late-deafened, don't have a strong connection to the Deaf community, and communicate orally.
“Deaf” with a capital "D" refers to people with hearing loss who consider themselves part of the Deaf community, and share a common culture and language. Alternatively, “deaf” with a lowercase "d" simply refers to someone who’s medically deaf, but doesn’t consider deafness part of their identity or have a connection to the Deaf community. Often, people who identify as Deaf were born deaf, or become Deaf before they acquire spoken language and communicate in sign language, whereas those who identify as deaf are often late-deafened, don't have a strong connection to the Deaf community, and communicate orally.
Deep Poverty
The U.S. Census Bureau defines deep poverty as living in a household with income that falls below 50% of the federal poverty line. The United Nations describes it as “a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education, and information. It depends not only on income but also on access to services.” Deep poverty is also known as extreme poverty, abject poverty, absolute poverty, or destitution.
The U.S. Census Bureau defines deep poverty as living in a household with income that falls below 50% of the federal poverty line. The United Nations describes it as “a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education, and information. It depends not only on income but also on access to services.” Deep poverty is also known as extreme poverty, abject poverty, absolute poverty, or destitution.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
A program that allows those who came to the U.S. as children and meet several requirements to apply for temporary protection from deportation and to work for two years. Not a path to citizenship. Though it ended in 2018, it remains in place for those who previously received DACA.
A program that allows those who came to the U.S. as children and meet several requirements to apply for temporary protection from deportation and to work for two years. Not a path to citizenship. Though it ended in 2018, it remains in place for those who previously received DACA.
Demisexual
A person who doesn’t experience sexual attraction to another person unless or until they’ve formed an emotional connect with them. Many demisexuals consider themselves ace, but some identify as allosexual, and others in between. For more.
A person who doesn’t experience sexual attraction to another person unless or until they’ve formed an emotional connect with them. Many demisexuals consider themselves ace, but some identify as allosexual, and others in between. For more.
Deployment
Moving troops or equipment into position for military action, which can occur both internationally and stateside.
Moving troops or equipment into position for military action, which can occur both internationally and stateside.
Deportation
The forced removal of an individual from the U.S. because of unauthorized status, whether or not any criminal laws have been violated.
The forced removal of an individual from the U.S. because of unauthorized status, whether or not any criminal laws have been violated.
Desi
A person of South Asian descent. The term once referred to South Asians living abroad but now refers to any South Asian. It’s also used as a description – Desi food, Desi music, etc.
A person of South Asian descent. The term once referred to South Asians living abroad but now refers to any South Asian. It’s also used as a description – Desi food, Desi music, etc.
Detention Centers
Detention centers are where detained immigrants (not incarcerated people) are kept while awaiting a trial, deportation hearing, or some other non-criminal process. According to reporters, non-profits, and politicians, worse conditions exist in U.S. immigrant detention centers than prisons.
Detention centers are where detained immigrants (not incarcerated people) are kept while awaiting a trial, deportation hearing, or some other non-criminal process. According to reporters, non-profits, and politicians, worse conditions exist in U.S. immigrant detention centers than prisons.
Dharma
The eternal and inherent nature of reality, regarded in Hinduism as a cosmic law underlying right behavior and social order. In Buddhism, the nature of reality is regarded as a universal truth taught by the Buddha. For more.
The eternal and inherent nature of reality, regarded in Hinduism as a cosmic law underlying right behavior and social order. In Buddhism, the nature of reality is regarded as a universal truth taught by the Buddha. For more.
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.
Disabled vs. disabled
“Disabled” with a capital "D" refers to those who are culturally Disabled - meaning they consider their disability part of their identity, and are engaged in the Disabled community whether in person, online, or through art, literature, or activism (keeping in mind barriers to access often prevent Disabled people from gathering together). Alternatively, “disabled” with a lowercase "d" refers to someone who has a disabling condition or illness, but who does not consider disability part of their identity.
“Disabled” with a capital "D" refers to those who are culturally Disabled - meaning they consider their disability part of their identity, and are engaged in the Disabled community whether in person, online, or through art, literature, or activism (keeping in mind barriers to access often prevent Disabled people from gathering together). Alternatively, “disabled” with a lowercase "d" refers to someone who has a disabling condition or illness, but who does not consider disability part of their identity.
Disclosure
The act or process of sharing one’s gender history with another person. Trans people should never be forced or coerced to disclose to anyone, and if, how, and when they do should be entirely up to them. Being out as a transgender person can be considerably different than being out as a lesbian, gay, or bi+ person. Sexual orientation typically becomes more public over time, whereas for some trans people, their gender history can become more private over time. A trans person doesn’t need to be "out" about their gender history in order to be happy. A trans person may choose to be "no or low disclosure," meaning they only disclose to close friends and family.
The act or process of sharing one’s gender history with another person. Trans people should never be forced or coerced to disclose to anyone, and if, how, and when they do should be entirely up to them. Being out as a transgender person can be considerably different than being out as a lesbian, gay, or bi+ person. Sexual orientation typically becomes more public over time, whereas for some trans people, their gender history can become more private over time. A trans person doesn’t need to be "out" about their gender history in order to be happy. A trans person may choose to be "no or low disclosure," meaning they only disclose to close friends and family.
Dishonorable Discharge
This is the most punitive of all military discharges and is given as the result of a court-martial. Desertion, murder, fraud, and other crimes performed in uniform can result in court-martial proceedings that lead to a dishonorable discharge. No military benefits or future military service is possible with a military discharge characterized as Dishonorable. Contrary to popular belief there are not only the two most well-known discharges characterized as Honorable and Dishonorable; there are many more. See here.
This is the most punitive of all military discharges and is given as the result of a court-martial. Desertion, murder, fraud, and other crimes performed in uniform can result in court-martial proceedings that lead to a dishonorable discharge. No military benefits or future military service is possible with a military discharge characterized as Dishonorable. Contrary to popular belief there are not only the two most well-known discharges characterized as Honorable and Dishonorable; there are many more. See here.
District Attorney (DA)
The chief prosecutor for a local government area, like a city or county.
The chief prosecutor for a local government area, like a city or county.
Domestic Adoption
The process of a citizen and/or lawful permanent resident of a country adopting a child with citizenship from the same country (e.g., an American adult adopting an American child).
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.
Dragon Lady
A stereotype of East Asian and Southeast Asian women that depicts them as strong, deceitful, domineering, and sexually alluring.
A stereotype of East Asian and Southeast Asian women that depicts them as strong, deceitful, domineering, and sexually alluring.