Responsibility

In our communication, we generally use the gender asterisk to make visible and address not only people who identify with the male or female gender, but people of all genders (cf. trans, inter, non-binary, pronouns). Orally in the German language, the gender asterisk is spoken with a short pause: “Arbeiter-[pause]-innen.” Equivalent to the gender asterisk, the colon is also often used today: “Arbeiter: innen.” However, symbolically, the gender asterisk—with its many rays—better represents gender diversity than the gender colon. The gender asterisk does not have a similar usage in the English language for nouns, due to their (generally) gender neutral linguistic properties.

is a term which originates from the U.S. American disability rights movement. It describes the discrimination of people with disabilities who do not conform to normative expectations of what people should be able to do or achieve—for example, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, or socially interacting. The phrase “being disabled” is also intended to make clear that people are not disabled because of their individual bodies, but because of architecture, barriers, and social exclusion.

describes the exclusion and devaluation of people of a certain age, especially older people. Ageism involves social, professional, and/or economic disadvantages against groups or individuals based on age, year of birth, or generation.

The term refers to people who use their privileges to actively support those who experience discrimination. For people with experiences of discrimination, it is important that allies do not portray themselves as “saviors” (e.g., white savior or male savior) of marginalized people, but instead stand with them and alongside them against discrimination, in the sense of empowerment.

refers to a specific form of discrimination against people perceived as East and Southeast Asian. This means that not all people with an Asian background experience this specific type of racism. People perceived as Asian are often described as “model migrants” and pitted against other (post-)migrant groups. They are also portrayed as a homogeneous mass and experience prejudiced attributions of intellectual ability, which are framed as a threat to white majority society. During the Covid-19 pandemic, anti-Asian racism increased worldwide.

refers to a hostile or dismissive attitude toward, and structural discrimination against, people from the Balkan region or Southeastern Europe. These people have diverse national, ethnic, cultural, and religious affiliations, which are often stereotypically lumped together.

The racialization of people from (South-)Eastern Europe often occurs based on names, language, accent, as well as supposed physical “traits” or “typical” behaviors. Anti-Balkanism is a form of Orientalism and is therefore often paired with anti-Muslim racism—even though only a portion of people with Balkan backgrounds are religiously Muslim.

Anti-Slavic racism against people from (South-)Eastern Europe relates to racist prejudices against Slavs—even though only a portion of people with backgrounds from (South-)Eastern Europe are Slavic. Racism against people from (South-)Eastern Europe is usually not expressed in a differentiated way, but rather manifests in an overlapping mixture of anti-Slavism and anti-Balkanism.

Anti-Muslim racism / hostility towards Muslims refers to the denigration and marginalisation of Muslims (and people perceived to be Muslim), as well as their public, political and religious activities. Islam is often not simply regarded as a religion, but is also portrayed as a monolithic culture. This hostility is based on certain attributions made about ‘Islam’ as being reactionary, anti-democratic and violent. Whether or not those affected are actually practising Muslims is of secondary importance. The terms are used synonymously. ‘Anti-Muslim racism’ or ‘hostility towards Muslims’ is sometimes preferred to ‘Islamophobia’ or ‘hostility towards Islam’, as the term ‘Islamophobia’ places the main emphasis on the emotionally charged aversion to Islam as a religion (see EKR, Federal Commission against Racism).

refers to a form of racism directed against Black people and people perceived as Black. It represents a hostile attitude or a demeaning view toward people of African descent. Physical traits such as skin color and other phenotypical features are linked with various negative stereotypes.

Anti-Black racism is based on the assumption that Black and white people are fundamentally unequal. Current forms and manifestations of racism against Black people range from everyday racism to structural racism and even deadly violence. Anti-Black racism is often downplayed or attributed to the “oversensitivity” of those affected. This derives directly from racist stereotypes about people of African descent.

Anti-Black racism can also appear in the form of seemingly well-intentioned actions, without an explicitly hostile intent.

is a term describing a rejecting, demeaning, hostile, or hateful attitude or mindset toward people who identify as Jewish or are perceived as such. This form of racist discrimination manifests, for example, in ideas of a “Jewish world conspiracy” or in viewing Jewish people as “scapegoats” for social, political, and societal problems.

Antisemitism manifests in hostile beliefs, prejudices, or stereotypes, and is also reflected in social structures. These lead to Jewish-perceived individuals being insulted, demeaned, excluded, disadvantaged, or regarded as fundamentally “different.” Not only individuals, but also Jewish organizations and institutions are affected by antisemitic violence.

refers to approaches, practices, strategies, etc., that aim to eliminate and overcome racist structures, conditions, and attitudes. Anti-racist or racism-critical perspectives advocate for a self-reflective, power-critical, and open engagement with the racist realities of (current) societies.

Everyday racism becomes apparent when racist prejudices are unconsciously and/or unintentionally expressed through culturally embedded systems of belonging, images, and ideas—for example, in seemingly neutral, positive, or curious questions, statements, gestures, actions, and looks. Everyday racisms implicitly exclude people from the “we” and can have significant negative effects on the mental as well as physical health of those affected. The term “everyday racism” emphasizes the interaction of individual actions with societal-structural racism.

generally describes attentiveness to questions of social justice. It refers to a protective concept designed to help people recognize structural discrimination and take a stance in support of the perspectives of those affected.

This formulation makes clear that people are not disabled because of their individual bodies, but because of barriers and social exclusion. It is not the individual’s body or abilities themselves that constitute disability, but barriers and lack of access. This is often referred to as the social model of disability, which holds that people with disabilities are disabled and excluded by society when everything is geared only toward bodies and abilities that conform to a particular social norm.

describes the degree of accessibility to information and participation for everyone. This applies to all areas of daily life: websites, public spaces, public transport, art and culture, infrastructure, or access to buildings, etc. The main concern is to create easier—and ideally seamless—access to all areas with and for people with disabilities. Secondarily, accessibility can also be extended to other marginalized groups.

refers to the practice in which white people paint their faces black in order to portray Black people in a stereotypical and exaggerated way. The term originates from the “minstrel shows” of the 18th and 19th centuries in the U.S., where actors portrayed Black characters to mock them. This is a racist practice that was widespread not only in the U.S. but also in Europe and other parts of the world. Blackfacing can be very hurtful for Black people. In addition to blackfacing, there is also yellowfacing or the imitation of Indigenous peoples, which is equally harmful.

An abbreviation for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. This is a self-designation of people who are not white and who therefore do not have certain privileges. BIPoC is one possible term to address many people who experience racism. However, not all racialized people identify with the term.

is the slogan of the transnational movement of the same name, which, through protests, memorial events, and worldwide mobilization on social media, advocates against violence toward Black people and People of Color due to racism, racial profiling, and police violence. The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter went viral in 2013 after the acquittal of the perpetrator who shot African American teenager Trayvon Martin in Florida, and it gained international recognition through the demonstrations following the racially motivated killings of Michael Brown in Ferguson and Eric Garner in New York in 2014.

describes insulting or discriminating against someone because of their physical appearance. This can affect any body, but in particular female, trans, intersex, and/or fat bodies (fat shaming) are subject to evaluative and derogatory comments. Thin bodies (skinny shaming), older bodies, or disabled bodies can also be affected. Body shaming also refers to when people feel ashamed of their bodies—due to environmental influences—because they do not conform to societal norms and to the unrealistic beauty and body ideals propagated in media or advertising.

In the Anglo-American context, “Brown” is used as a self-designation by some people affected by racism who do not identify with the term BIPoC. The expression “Black and Brown People” is also often used. “Brown” describes a specific racism experience. In German-speaking (i.e. Braun) contexts, the term should only be used when a person explicitly self-identifies that way. If it refers to the description of a skin color, braun can be used. However, it should be carefully considered whether this is necessary at all. Usually, this is only the case when it is explicitly about skin in a medical sense, or in contexts like makeup, nylon stockings, etc.

(from Latin cis = “on this side”) refers to people who identify with the gender that was assigned to them at birth. (cf. also trans(gender))

Colorism refers to a specific form of hierarchisation in which racialised people are either disadvantaged or favoured on the basis of their skin tone. The term (also known as ‘shadeism’) originates from the USA and describes specific effects in everyday life. People of colour (PoC) with particularly dark skin (dark-skinned) face greater discrimination, both institutionally and in everyday life, than those with lighter skin (light-skinned). ‘Dark-skinned’ and ‘light-skinned’ are categories used to position people affected by racism within a racist system. Light-skinned people are often regarded as ‘more beautiful’ or ‘more attractive’ because of their lighter skin tones and tend to have easier structural and economic access to privileges. As a result, compared to dark-skinned people, they tend to face discrimination less frequently, enjoy greater representation in the media (television, films, advertising) and have easier access to romantic relationships as well as to the labour and housing markets. These terms should not be equated with the German equivalents ‘hell- und dunkelhäutig’ (light- and dark-skinned), as these are very often used in a one-sided and hurtful manner.

Content Note (English for ‘content warning’). Content notes are used in the context of performances to alert audience members to any potentially disturbing and/or offensive themes or depictions that may, for example, have a re-traumatising effect. Care is taken to be as precise as possible without giving away the full content or plot of the performance.

English-speaking activists with disabilities aimed to reclaim a word often used as an insult. “Crip” stands for cripple. It has now become a positive self-designation that is also used in German-speaking contexts. “Crip” refers not only to people with visible physical disabilities but also to those with invisible disabilities and chronic illnesses such as chronic pain. It is a self-designation and is generally not used by people who are not affected.

‘Cripping up’ refers to a problematic and ableist (see ableism) casting practice in which an actor or actress without a disability plays the role of a person with a disability in film or theatre. This practice is criticised just as strongly as when white actors and actresses wear black make-up to play Black roles (see blackfacing). ‘Cripping up’ as a casting practice is sometimes criticised by disabled actors and activists, as people with disabilities are still under-represented and are often not selected for certain roles because of their disability.

in the context of diversity development usually refers to a loose (political) community of interest in which people come together who share experiences of discrimination. The community is bound by a positive sense of belonging, or the reference to a positive group identity.

A deadname (literally: “dead name”) is a discarded, former given name, usually assigned at birth. For trans and/or non-binary people who have chosen a new name, being addressed by their deadname can be hurtful. Addressing someone with their former name is called deadnaming (or “to deadname”) and sometimes happens unintentionally. Very often, however, it occurs with the intention of denying the gender identity of the trans and/or non-binary person. This therefore also constitutes a form of exclusion or (structural) discrimination against trans and/or non-binary people.

The term “Disability Arts” is often used as an umbrella concept for artistic works by artists with disabilities. Such works often address questions of embodiment, vulnerability, freedom, and ideas of normality. The term emerged in the 1970s within the disability rights movement in the United Kingdom. It is important to note that not every artist with a disability produces Disability Arts.

Discrimination refers to the categories on the basis of which people are discriminated against; these include, for example, gender identity, sexual orientation, social or ethnic background, language, religion, political beliefs, age, disability and body weight. The norms constructed by society and any deviation from them lead to discrimination.

Diversity refers to the representation of differences in terms of various life experiences and worlds. These differences relate to various dimensions: race/ethnic origin, nationality, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic background/social status, age, physical/mental abilities, religion/worldview, etc.

Diversity-oriented organisational development is an innovative approach to transforming organisations that do not (sufficiently) reflect societal diversity. The aim is to foster an appreciative approach to diversity and to eliminate (structural) discrimination. To ensure diversity in the long term, inclusionary practices are required that break down barriers, increase equal opportunities, foster participation and eliminate discrimination. Fundamental to this is an examination of power relations and the reproduction of privileges and disadvantages, as well as an understanding of the relationship between individuals and their social environment.

The dominant society shapes the prevailing value system of social coexistence and, in doing so, gives rise to social inclusion and exclusion, privileges and structural discrimination. Unlike the more common term ‘majority society’, the term ‘dominant society’ highlights the fact that various hierarchical power structures permeate a society. The term thus aims to emphasise that the question of who shapes which norms and values is not a matter of population proportions – that is, of quantifiable majorities and minorities.

refers to processes through which socially disadvantaged people or groups acquire the tools—via targeted strategies and training opportunities—to shape their lives with greater self-determination. The focus is on recognizing one’s own strengths, deriving (new) possibilities for action from them, and gaining access to areas that are otherwise difficult to enter due to discrimination.

Describes the evaluation of non-European cultures from the perspective of European values and norms. Europe forms the unreflected center of thought and action; European historical development is regarded as the standard of comparison for all other countries and cultures.

Ethnicity means “ethnic group” or “people’s affiliation.” However, the term is used differently in German and English. While Ethnie in German does not carry a direct colonial history, it was introduced in the 1960s by anthropologist Wilhelm Emil Mühlmann as a replacement for “race” or “tribe.” Although intended as a neutral, depoliticized term, it perpetuates the racist conceptual content of its predecessors. In German usage, “ethnic” often refers only to people affected by racism, generalized and judged by those in positions of power. The term should therefore be avoided, as it reproduces power asymmetries. The idea of applying blanket labels to heterogeneous groups stems from a racialized logic of naming “the Other.”

ist eine Form des Eurozentrismus. Er beschreibt eine Grundeinstellung, die das Fremde, wie zum Beispiel «fremde Kulturen», als durchaus positiv bewertet und ihm eine besondere Faszination beimisst. Das Fremde wird alleine unter «exotischen» Aspekten wahrgenommen. Diese voreingenommene und auch rassistische Perspektive wird wenig bis gar nicht reflektiert, auch dann nicht, wenn keine ‘bösartige Intention dahintersteckt.

Refers to the targeted killing of a woman or girl, or of FLINTA* persons, in which gender is presumed to be the motive or a decisive factor. The term also encompasses targeted deadly violence against women, girls, or FLINTA* in war, as well as lethal misogynistic hate crimes that may additionally include racist, homophobic, transphobic, or ableist motives. Femicides are not isolated incidents but the result of structural violence rooted in the patriarchal power relations of our society. Violence against women is still often treated as a private matter, as reflected in societal responses: the term femicide is not yet an established political term in Switzerland; in summer 2020, the Council of States rejected its use once again.

Here, signifying the German acronym for Frauen (women), Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans, and Agender persons. It refers to people who are discriminated against under patriarchy because of their gender identity. The asterisk (*) signals that other people not explicitly listed but who also do not fit into dominant categories of sexual orientation or gender identity are included.

Describes a worldview and social value system that recognizes only two genders (“male” and “female”) and heterosexual relationships between them as normal. In a heteronormative society, social expectations are directed at all people regarding how men and women should live together. Within this framework, people are assumed to be born either male or female (and raised accordingly), and to engage only in heterosexual relationships. People who do not fit into this binary order—for example, those who identify as non-binary, trans, or intersex and/or who do not have heterosexual relationships—are perceived and described as “different” or “not normal”.

Sign languages are independent languages with their own grammar. Communication takes place through hand signs and gestures, but also through facial expression, head movements, and body posture. Sign language is not universal; each country has its own. They are to be regarded as equivalent to spoken languages. In Switzerland, around 10,000 people use one (or more) of the three Swiss sign languages: Swiss German Sign Language (DSGS), French Sign Language (LSF), and Italian Sign Language (LIS). Content in sign language, sign language videos, and sign language interpreting are essential for the participation of deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

These terms refer to hostility against Sintizze, Romnja, and Yenish people. They describe attitudes and behaviors shaped by stereotypes, prejudice, and enmity toward these communities. This can result in precarious living conditions, particularly for Sintizze and Romnja. Both itinerant and settled members of the Yenish, Sintizze, or Romnja face discrimination ranging from verbal abuse and insults to physical assaults. Especially through state-level unequal treatment, they repeatedly experience racist discrimination. Some Sintizze and Romnja activists call this form of racist hostility Gadje Racism, so as not to reproduce the slur contained in the term antigypsyism. One exception are certain Yenish communities who reclaim the slur as a form of self-identification. The term Gadje Racism was introduced by Sintizze and Romnja activists and scholars to replace antigypsyism. One of its advantages is that it does not assume a homogenous group of victims. Instead, it shifts the focus onto the dominant society—the Gadje—and the functions Gadje Racism fulfills for them, namely empowering and elevating themselves through their racism.

Describes a worldview and social value system that recognizes only two genders (“male” and “female”) and heterosexual relationships between them as normal. In a heteronormative society, social expectations are directed at all people regarding how men and women should live together. Within this framework, people are assumed to be born either male or female (and raised accordingly), and to engage only in heterosexual relationships. People who do not fit into this binary order—for example, those who identify as non-binary, trans, or intersex and/or who do not have heterosexual relationships—are perceived and described as “different” or “not normal”.

(from Latin inter = “between,” formerly: “intersex”) refers to people whose physical sex characteristics (for example, genitalia or chromosomes) cannot be assigned to the medical norm of “clearly” male or female bodies, but exist along a spectrum in between. To this day, inter children are often subjected to surgical reassignment (most frequently to the female sex), resulting in considerable health restrictions and psychological harm.

Describes the overlapping and interaction of different forms of discrimination. People embody multiple characteristics and identities at once. Intersectionality recognizes that individuals are often disadvantaged because of several characteristics/identities simultaneously. For example, a lesbian, deaf, Black woman may face discrimination on the basis of her gender, sexual orientation, race, and disability (ableism) all at once and in different ways.

Classism refers to discrimination based on presumed or actual social background and/or social and economic status. Classism is predominantly directed against people with low social and economic capital. Classism has a significant impact on the social participation of certain groups: it restricts career progression and prevents opportunities for advancement at a wide variety of levels. Discrimination on the basis of social background occurs in many institutions: in schools, in the cultural sector and in politics, and it also has a negative impact on the free development of the individual. Last but not least, classism is also expressed in personal behaviour, as it humiliates certain groups and causes them to feel a sense of shame that is difficult to overcome.

Refers to a European expansionist policy between the 15th and 20th centuries, based on conquest, control, and economic exploitation of non-European territories, and their forced integration into a global capitalist economic and social system. Even after the official withdrawal of colonial powers in the 19th and 20th centuries, the colonial legacy—as a system of knowledge, domination, and violence—continues to shape international trade circuits and societal value systems today. Colonial domination is chiefly responsible for the erasure of non-European, non-white knowledge traditions and the persistence of structural racism. Current research has shown that while Switzerland did not possess colonial territories, it was deeply entangled through lucrative economic connections in the global trade of colonial goods and enslaved people, which contributed significantly to the country’s present-day prosperity.

Cultural appropriation refers to members of a dominant culture adopting cultural expressions, practices, or objects from marginalized cultures — often without understanding their meaning or history. This frequently occurs in a way that strips these elements of their context, commercializes them, or reproduces stereotypes. For example, when cultural symbols with deep significance (such as hairstyles, clothing, or spiritual practices) are used as fashion trends by people outside of that culture, it can be seen as appropriation. The problem lies in the unequal power relations: while marginalized groups are discriminated against for practicing their own culture, dominant groups can adopt and profit from the same practices without consequences.

The abbreviation LGBTIQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, and queer people, with the “+” signifying the inclusion of further sexual orientations and gender identities beyond those explicitly named. It is an umbrella term that highlights the diversity of identities and experiences that deviate from heteronormative and cisnormative norms. The abbreviation is used politically to make these communities visible and to fight against discrimination.

Refers to the displacement of individuals or groups to the edges of society. This can occur on various levels—geographical, economic, social, or cultural—and usually happens across multiple levels simultaneously.

Describes the process by which people with, or perceived to have, a migration background are made into “migrants” by the dominant society, thereby stereotyped and “othered” (see Othering).

Everyday verbal or non-verbal expressions or actions, sometimes conscious, sometimes unconscious, that belittle or hurt someone based on assumed group membership. For example, abruptly crossing the street when a Person of Color approaches, or praising someone for their command of the local official language even though they were born in that country.

Neurodivergence is a (non-clinical) term describing people whose brains and nervous systems function in ways that differ from societal norms, leading to different cognitive abilities, perceptions, sensory processing, and social interactions. It avoids stigmatizing terms like “normal” or “abnormal.”
It is central to the neurodiversity movement, which recognizes neurological differences as natural human variation rather than deficits, and calls for cultural and social adjustments to foster inclusion and acceptance.
Neurotypical refers to people whose brains and nervous systems conform to societal norms.

Describes the gender identity of people who do not identify—or only partially identify—with the male or female gender. Non-binary people may choose not to use pronouns (“he”/“she”) at all or adopt self-chosen pronouns. For example, the English singular they can be used, or simply the person’s first name: “When Noa went to bed yesterday, Noa immediately fell asleep.” These days, the pronouns ‘dey’ and ‘demm’ are also frequently used in German.

Refers to the process of a group or individual defining another group as “different” or “foreign.” This usually takes place within a power imbalance: those labeled as “other” experience discrimination and often lack the means to resist such categorization.

A system of dominance based on heteronormative binary gender and stereotypical ideas of “man” and “woman.” It positions men and women differently in social, economic, sexual, and interpersonal contexts. Patriarchal thinking provides the framework and justification for sexist inequalities and sustains them.

‘People of Colour’ (PoC) (singular: ‘Person of Colour’) is a self-identifying term used by people who experience racism. Like ‘Black’ or ‘white’, the term PoC does not refer to skin tones. It relates to marginalisation on the basis of racism. In Europe, this therefore includes, amongst others, people from the African, Asian or Latin American diaspora. This is influenced by a Eurocentric perspective, which is a consequence of Europe’s colonial past, the consequences of which have not been fully addressed. In German, ‘of colour’ can be used as a genitive attribute or as an adjective, for example: ‘She is an actress of colour’; ‘My best friend is of colour’.

A privilege is an advantage granted to someone because societal structures favor their appearance, whom they love, or how they live. Privilege means being spared certain problems and discrimination. Examples: holding a Swiss passport, being considered white, being cis male, not being disabled, etc.
Having privileges does not mean one’s life is always easy.

The masculine pronoun ‘he’ and the feminine pronoun ‘she’ are used in speech to refer to a person’s name. People who do not identify as either male or female may choose not to use a pronoun at all, or may use one of their own choosing. Asking someone which pronoun they prefer can be a sign of awareness of potential discrimination. The aim is to try to address people using their preferred pronoun and not to assign a pronoun based on an assumption (e.g. because of their name) with which they may not identify (known as ‘misgendering’).

A self-designation for people living and defending diverse sexual, romantic, and gender identities beyond the cis-hetero norm. Queerness also represents a political mindset rooted in decades of activism and theory that fundamentally questions binary categories.

Unlike the outdated German term Rasse (“race”), the English term race is used in anti-discriminatory language to highlight that such categorizations are socially constructed. While Rasse suggests biological reality, race reminds us that these categories are human-made

A historically rooted system of domination and violence that establishes and maintains a pseudo-scientific hierarchy among people based on skin tone, ethnicity, and/or religion.It justified transatlantic slavery and European colonialism and continues to cause global inequality for racialized people.
Structural or institutional racism refers not to individual interactions but to discrimination embedded in societal systems, institutions, and laws—affecting BIPoC in housing, labor, healthcare, education, and representation in media, politics, and culture.

A performance format designed for audiences who benefit from a more relaxed, accessible atmosphere—such as people who may make involuntary noises or movements, and who are otherwise excluded by strict performance etiquette. It adapts theater conventions to reduce barriers and ensure accessibility.

Actively created environments where people with experiences of discrimination can feel as safe as possible, with minimal exposure to marginalization, insults, or harassment. Because no space can ever be fully free of power and domination, the term “safer” is used rather than “safe.”

Not a skin color, but a political self-designation of people with experiences of racism. It is capitalized to distinguish it from the color adjective black.

A term chosen by a marginalized group for itself, in contrast to an ascription imposed by the dominant society. Self-designations are empowering and create solidarity, while ascriptions often mark people as “different” or “foreign.”

A person with a (visible or invisible) disability who represents their own rights and interests, and those of others with similar disabilities. Rooted in the principle “nothing about us without us,” this strengthens self-determination and participation.

Discrimination based on gender. In patriarchal societies, sexism primarily targets women, trans people, and femininity. Masculinity (particularly cis-masculinity) is treated as the norm.
In German contexts, sexism is often misunderstood as being limited to sexual harassment, but the term refers more broadly to gender-based inequality—such as women earning less on average.

A global-political approach advocating for fair distribution of opportunities, resources, and living conditions, ensuring no person is disproportionately disadvantaged. It includes meeting basic needs, fair income distribution, and sustainability for future generations.

A community-based approach to addressing violence that focuses on root causes and the needs of all involved. It emphasizes self-organized support, accountability, and systemic change to prevent future violence, moving away from punitive justice models.

(Latin: “beyond,” “across”; outdated: transsexual) Describes identities of people who do not, or only partially, identify with the gender assigned at birth. Trans people may identify as male, female, non-binary, agender, or gender-fluid.

Transcultural sees cultures as dynamic, interconnected, and evolving through multiple influences, creating new and complex forms. Intercultural refers more narrowly to interaction between two (seemingly) distinct cultures, but is criticized for implying rigid, unrealistic cultural boundaries.

Describes a social position and privileges associated with whiteness, not literal skin color. Who counts as white varies by context—for example, a person of Turkish origin may be seen as PoC in Switzerland but as white in Turkey.

The advantages white people have in society, such as easier access to housing, jobs, healthcare, education, and representation.

Defensive, dismissive, or aggressive reactions by white people when confronted with their own racism.

Racialized people who are perceived as white due to their appearance. They may face less visible racism but can still experience discrimination in other ways (e.g., through their name).

Behavior by white people who attempt to “help” marginalized groups in ways that reinforce colonial power structures rather than dismantle them. Often serves to soothe privileged consciences while perpetuating stereotypes and white dominance.

Originally (1930s) described people alert to injustice. In the African American civil rights movement, stay woke meant vigilance against racism and police violence. Today, it still refers to awareness of social injustice, though it is also used pejoratively to dismiss social justice efforts.

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