Racial Justice in Education: Key Terms and Definitions

Racial justice in education is the process of creating an educational system that is free from discrimination and promotes equal opportunity for all students. Institutions that are intended to provide educational opportunities for all students must adhere to a range of key terms and definitions that are essential to understanding racial justice in education.

Key Terms and Definitions

Racial justice: The process of creating an educational system that is free from discrimination and promotes equal opportunity for all students.

Racial diversity: The variety of racial experiences that exist in a society.

Racial identity: The perceptions and experiences of race that a person has.

Racial microaggressions: Non-verbal behaviors or comments that are directed towards a person of color that have the effect of reducing their sense of self-worth or belonging.

Racial profiling: The practice of targeting individuals based on their racial or ethnic background.

Racial segregation: The separation of people of different races in an environment.

White privilege: The advantages that white people have over people of color in society.

Social justice: The concept of equity and fairness in society.

Institutional racism: The structural biases and inequalities that exist in an organization, regardless of the individual attitudes or behavior of its members.

Cultural racism: The ways that the values, beliefs, and practices of a particular culture influence how people of color are viewed and treated in society.

Multiculturalism: The recognition of the diversity of cultures within a society.

Racial equity: The principle that people of all races should have an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential in life.

Affirmative action: The practice of taking into account a person’s race or ethnicity when making decisions about hiring, promotion, or educational opportunities.

Equal opportunity: The principle that all people in an organization should have an equal opportunity to achieve their goals and objectives.

Prejudice: Negative attitudes and thoughts about a group of people that are not based on any real evidence.

Colorblindness: The belief that people of all races are the same and that there is no need for special attention or policies to be put in place to support people of color.

Racial Reconciliation: The process of bringing people of different races together so that they can begin to build relationships of mutual respect and understanding.