Definitions: Diversity year 2

Caution: Please note that the specific words used will vary with time and place. It is the concepts listed that matter. These concepts can be adapted to apply to any discrimination, not just in the context of race, e.g. deficit model of disability; stereotyping of gay or lesbian people, etc..

Prejudice

Unfair and often unfavourable feeling or opinion not based on reason or knowledge. Often such feelings or opinions are not changed despite clear evidence showing them to be incorrect. Treating a person unfairly because of membership of a particular group or because of colour, age, sex, class, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. Making assumptions about the behaviours or beliefs of individuals or groups. Such assumptions may be based on knowledge of cultural norms, or past experience of other members of the same ethnic group. Cultural deficit can be synonymous with positive discrimination - for example lowering standards for particular groups for job specifications. The term positive discrimination must not be confused with positive action which is a strategy used in equal opportunities, for example: in recruitment to encourage under-represented groups of people to apply for places at medical school. We therefore use the term reverse prejudice here to highlight the prejudice which is directed from minority ethnic groups to members of the majority ethnic group. Denying or ignoring the different needs and situations of minority ethnic groups in policy making or service provision thereby effectively excluding them from services, or developing services that are inappropriate. (We treat everyone equally). Blaming vulnerable groups for their disadvantage e.g. blaming poor health on lifestyle choice, when peoples circumstances mean there is no choice. This can include culturally based behaviour. For example saying that the higher incidence of disability among Pakistani children is due to consanguinity (the practice of marrying first cousins) i.e. it is therefore their own fault. The term marginal (from which marginalisation is derived) is synonymous with borderline, peripheral, minimal and non-essential. Hence, when minority ethnic groups are marginalised in service provision, they are omitted from mainstream service provision and not viewed as part of the core business. It results in service provision that is ad hoc, short term, and often based on soft monies. Pertaining to race or group. The use of the term ethnic in this context is derived from the Greek ethnos meaning nation or group (and not the Latin ethnicus meaning pagan or heathen [Oxford English Dictionary]). Hence, an ethnic group is any (not just black) group of people characterised by a distinctive social and cultural tradition maintained within the group from generation to generation, a common history and origin and a sense of identity within the group. Members of the group often have distinctive features in their way of life, language, religion, share experiences and may have a common genetic inheritance. These features may be reflected in their health and disease experience. Unfair and unfavourable beliefs, opinion or behaviours expressed by one member of an oppressed ethnic group onto another Belief in the intrinsic superiority of the nation, culture or group to which one belongs. Seeing ones own culture as the norm - a sort of gold standard against which others are measured

Discrimination Cultural Stereotyping

Cultural Deficit:- Accepting lower or different standards from people belonging to a different ethnic group.

Reverse Prejudice Colour Blindness VictimBlaming

Marginalisation

Ethnic

Internalised racism Ethnocentrism