Let 's talk about race... 50 Terms to Engage in Racial Equity and Justice By Edgardo Ordoñez MD, MPH, Chloé Woodington MD, MPH, Michelle Suh MD, and Moises Gallegos, MD, MPH, on behalf of the Academy for Diversity & Inclusion in Emergency Medicine
RACISM AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
In having discussions about race and racism, we must start by educating ourselves. Below is a list of terms with definitions that can help us develop a common language, enhance the quality of our dialogue, and allow us to engage in supportive movements towards dismantling racism. As academic emergency physicians, we have a dual responsibility in providing quality patient care and fighting for justice through curricular reform, bedside teaching, and community engagement and activism through a racial and social justice lens. We understand that words on this list may have different meanings based on individual identities and lived experiences. This list is not all-inclusive and represents current usage, as terms are constantly evolving. We welcome your feedback and suggestions.
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Affinity (Caucus) Group: A group formed around a shared identity (e.g., gender, race, sexual identity, etc.) to allow for a safe space where participants can share and discuss experiences or work toward common goals Accomplice: Someone who commits to dismantling the structures that oppress certain groups by putting allyship into action Ally: Someone who makes the commitment and effort to recognize their privilege (based on gender, race, sexual identity, etc.) and work in solidarity with oppressed groups in the struggle for justice Anti-racism: Includes an active process of identifying and eliminating racism by opposing and challenging attitudes, policies, and behaviors through structural change
Bigotry: Intolerant devotion to one’s prejudices and beliefs that denigrates other groups, including ethnic and racial groups BIPOC: An acronym that stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; more inclusive than the commonly used term “people of color,” and centers on the unique experiences of Black and Indigenous people Code-Switching: Linguistically refers to when an individual alternates between or intermixes the use of two or more languages, dialects, or language varieties depending on social context or conversational setting; can also mean a modification of one’s appearance, expressions, or behavior to adapt to sociocultural norms Colonialism/Colonization: The theory and act of assuming control of someone else’s territory through dispossession and subjugation of native people; colonialism is the practice, while colonization is the process
