General Resources

Defining key terminology

• Diversity is any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another. (source)

• Inclusion is an organisational effort and practices in which different groups or individuals having different backgrounds are culturally and socially accepted and welcomed, and equally treated. (source)

• Equity is when two or more groups of people are standing on approximately equal footing. (source)

• Inequity is when two or more groups of people are not standing on approximately equal footing. (source)

• Racism is ideas or actions that promote racial inequity. (source) This may be equivalently applied to other traits used to differentiate groups of people (e.g. antisexism for gender).

• Antiracism is ideas or actions that promote racial equity. (source) This may be equivalently applied to other traits used to differentiate groups of people (e.g. antisexism for gender).

A short reading list about racism and antiracism

An excellent short reading on what it means to be anti-racist in your daily life (from the Smithsonian Institute "Talking About Race").

1. Listen. Experience the many forms of racism: "Tell me who you are: Sharing our stories of race, culture, and identity". A wide range of quick-to-read stories about experiences with race and racism from real people, which is much more than just black or brown or white. Great especially if you did not grow up with a lot of diversity around you... and even if you think you did. (One story is from a meteorologist in Hawaii who notes that he feels like only person of color in his field.)

2. Talk. Acknowledge racism around you: "So you want to talk about race". Straightforward, personal answers to common questions related to race and racism. (Another great suggestion: “What if I say the wrong thing?”)

3. Act. Actively oppose and dismantle racism: "How to be an antiracist". Why being “non-racist” is not an option. Kendi's book defines and deconstructs racism in all of its forms in order to define and construct antiracism. This is a serious academic book with a ton to digest. It is the most important book, but may be a lot to jump directly into.

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