Wiki #1: Costs of Privilege: In her presidential address for the Society of Counseling Psychology entitled, Exploring Privilege

in Counseling Psychology: Shifting the Lens, Israel (2012, p. 163) discusses costs associated with privilege. She describes a complex system of interrelated privilege and oppression, and this system harms those who hold the privilege, as well as those who do not. She lists many authors who noted the costs of various types of oppression to members of dominant groups: e.g., Bacon, 2009; Blumenfeld, 1992; Goodman, 2001; Johnson, 2001; Kivel, 1996; Ponterotto, Casas, Suzuki, & Alexander, 2010; Spanierman & Heppner, 2004; Spanierman, Poteat, Wang, & Oh, 2008; Thompson, 1995. Costs of White privilege include cognitive distortions of self, such as believing that all achievements are merit based; of reality, for example, denying the existence of racism; or of others by relying on stereotypes (Ponterotto et al., 2010). Interpersonal costs include limited exposure to people of other races, tension, avoidance, or fear in relationships with people of colour, and disconnection from ones own cultural group and heritage (Kivel, 1996; Ponterotto et al., 2010). Israel (2012) also indicated that unexplored privilege may create a vulnerability to psychological and behavioral problems due to entitlement, lack of awareness of consequences for oneself and others, distance from the victims, and limited coping skills for facing disappointments and failures (p. 171).

Wiki #2: Belonging: Schultz & Sankaran (2006) stated that overall health status and most chronic diseases are linked to circumstances that are beyond an individuals control (p. 6). A research work completed with 200 individuals from 70 different organizations in Ontario unanimously affirmed the link between exclusion and its effects on health. The health of a community or a population requires equitable access to the determinants of health (p. 6). The social determinants of health such as income, housing, employment and education create and are created by the feeling and reality of belonging (p. 8). Research indicates that when a society is inclusive and when people are engaged in processes that affect them, there is increased good health for all its members (p. 7). The importance of inclusion in determining health is strongly supported by the Statistics Canada report (released in December, 2005) that highlights the relationship between community belonging and self-perceived health.

Poor health can result from disadvantage through lack of access to material conditions and resources such as housing, jobs or education. Moreover, in daily life, these systemic differences continue to marginalize groups of people as they experience exclusion from community programmes, decision-making and community life in general (p. 8). The denial of opportunity for full participation and engagement brings effects of insecurity, anxiety and lack of social integration. Health and wellbeing are compromised by this lack of inclusion. The recently developed Health Goals for Canada (www.healthycanadians.ca) also identify belonging and engagement as key elements to making Canadians healthy (p. 7) For the complete article, please follow the link provided: http://www.count-me-in.ca/

Wiki #3: Culture of racism: Back et al. (2012) indicated that in U.K. the dynamics of Colonial racism are relevant in our time, and they explain the insight into the insidious damages that hierarchies of belonging affect social life (p. 2). Back et al. (2012) provide examples of how the hierarchy is created and maintained. Their qualitative study shows an individuals realization of participating in this hierarchy by putting others down, one elevates oneself, but it is a psychological balancing act. The very act of putting someone down reveals a need for status and/or respect that otherwise is not satisfied and which may be inwardly damaging (p. 11). Back et al. (2012) describe U.K., where tension exists constantly for migrants because their footing on the ladder of inclusion is neither stable nor clear but contingent and always subject to scrutiny (p. 11). The new hierarchies of belonging are sustained through fear and suspicion (Back et al., 2012, p. 13). Back et al. feel that an echo of colonial racism is at play in the ways that global population mobility is being filtered and ordered in Britain (p. 12). He quotes Gilroy (2010, p. 158), who states that racism that orders the social life brings out the very worst in everybody whose lives are distorted by its mirage. Back et al. also state that shame, displacement and status anxiety damage the quality of social encounters. They also point out an individuals experience of the shame or damages to self-esteem that invasive inspection, naming and placing causes (p.12). Back, L., Sinha, S., & Bryan, C. (2012). New hierarchies of belonging. European Journal of Cultural Studies,15(2), 3915.

Wiki #4: Linguistic, Cultural, and Biological Diversity A literature review on the correlations of linguistic, cultural and biological diversity was completed by Maffi (2005), and the following is a list of findings from her review. It is observed that the ongoing worldwide loss of biodiversity is paralleled by and seems interrelated to the extinction crisis affecting linguistic and cultural diversity (Krauss, 1992; Harmon, 1996, 2002; Nabhan, 1997; Posey, 1999; Maffi, 2001c). This loss of linguistic diversity was estimated to endanger the survival of 50%90% of the 6000+ currently spoken languages by 2100 (Krauss, 1992). There is an evolutionary significance of diversity not only in nature but also in culture and language as a way of keeping options alive for the future of humanity and the earth (Maffi, 1998, 2001a). Language is viewed as repositories of cultural memory, and it can be used to guide our action and influence the landscape and its biodiversity. Sutherland (2003) finds that languages are at far greater risk than are species (specifically birds and mammals, which he chooses for comparison). In understanding and celebrating unity in diversity lies our best hope for a sustainable future. UNESCOs recent Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (UNESCO, 2001), affirms that cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature (Article 1). A link between language loss and culture and knowledge loss, and in some cases, biodiversity loss was found in many linguistic diversity and biocultural diversity literature (e.g., Crystal, 2000; Dalby, 2003; Nettle & Romaine, 2000). Harmon (2002) states that diversity in nature and culture makes us human. In this resides the hope that greater respect for and stewardship over our shared natural and cultural heritage can be achievedbefore it is too late.

A recent article in the National Geographics News Watch showcases interview with some of the above mentioned researchers such as Harmon, Maffi and Loh. The link to the website is as follows: http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2011/03/01/language_diversity_index_tracks_ global_loss_of_mother_tongues/ A very interesting video entitled, Linguistic Diversity IS Language by David Bellos on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y7A8-1WYvo

Wiki #5: Cisgender is a term that refers to people whose birth sex is consistent with the gender identity and expression considered appropriate by society, in contrast to transgender. In her presidential address for the Society of Counseling Psychology entitled, Exploring Privilege in Counseling Psychology: Shifting the Lens, Israel (2012, p. 163) defines Cisgender as shown above, and the associated privilege issues to consider. On a daily basis as a cisgender person . . . Strangers dont assume they can ask me what my genitals look like and how I have sex. I am not expected to constantly defend my medical decisions. Strangers do not ask me what my real name [birth name] is and then assume that they have right to call me by that name. If I end up in the emergency room, I do not have to worry that my gender will keep me from receiving appropriate treatment nor will all of my medical issues be seen as a product of my gender. (Cisgender privilege checklist. (2007, May). Retrieved from http://www.t-vox.org/ index.php?title=Cisgender_privilege)