Establish a Common Equality Language
Learning Objectives
After completing this unit, you’ll be able to:
- Explain the importance of having a common language to discuss equality topics.
- Define key terms related to equality.
Connecting Through a Common Language
Language is able to build relationships, forge connections, and foster community. It can also create barriers and impact someone’s sense of belonging. How you think and talk about equality influences your actions and how you choose to show up for yourself and others in the workplace. It can also either encourage people and excite them to embark on their own equality journey or deter them and leave them confused.
It’s important that you take time to make sure everyone is on the same page because words can have different meanings for different people. Establishing some level of common language allows people to communicate effectively about a topic, and find ways to also understand the perspectives and experiences of others.
As you begin to have brave and sometimes difficult conversations about equality, remember that language matters. Agreeing on common terms and learning the correct or thoughtful language to use ensures that these conversations are effective and respectful.
Key Equality Terms
Here are just a few key terms to know.
- Ally/Advocate: Someone who supports or promotes the interests of a cause or group; for example, an advocate for disability rights
- Belonging: A sense of acceptance, inclusion, security, and support as a member of a group, especially as one of a few representatives of a particular community or identity
- Bias: Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another
- Disenfranchised: A group that is often marginalized and lacks power within their political, legal, and economic systems; groups such as the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, people of color, and people of lower socioeconomic statuses are often considered disenfranchised.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Diversity is the presence of people from many different backgrounds and identities. Inclusion is when every single person in the group is valued, heard, respected, and empowered, and feels a true sense of belonging. Only when you combine the two do you foster a true culture of equality.
- Equality versus Equity: These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they have very distinct meanings. Equality is giving everyone the same opportunities and resources to be successful. Equity, on the other hand, is about giving people what they need to not just survive, but thrive. It’s about making sure that each individual’s socio-cultural needs are met while taking into account the different privileges and amount of access various groups have on the path to success.
- Microaggressions: Everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, comments, or insults—intentional or unintentional—that impact or target a person, particularly within an underrepresented community.
- Privilege: Rights, social advantages, or access given to specific groups of people in contrast to the lack of equal access, accommodation, and opportunity given to other groups.
- Psychological safety: The confidence that an individual has that they won’t be humiliated, punished, or rejected by the group for sharing their thoughts, ideas, perspectives, and lived experiences.
- Underrepresented: This refers to a group whose representation in an organization is disproportionately lower than their proportion in the general population in the country and communities around them. This often refers to women and employees of color, though it can relate to any marginalized group or identity. Related term: underrepresented group (URG).
It’s empowering to know that there are more than enough words to use to better connect with people, and to both describe and build environments where everyone feels included.
Remember that your equality journey begins with understanding your why and making a personal commitment to grow as an ally. It’s not a journey you can complete overnight. It takes time, patience, empathy, forgiveness, and—above all—a willingness to continue to learn. With this in mind, don’t let your learning journey end here. Check out the Resources section to learn more about how you can exemplify a commitment to equality and contribute to inclusive working environments.