Normativity

Normativity is a word that expresses a standard. Things became such an everyday event that we don’t notice and therefore we tend to not talk about it. For example, assuming an (individual) norm that is made applicable to a group. The video on ableism is about doing inner work to understand that everyone has their own and different norm. It makes sense to juxtapose those standards rather than assuming that normal is the same for everyone.

Interpersonal communication

Interpersonal communication is an exchange of information between two or more people. It involves interaction, learning to understand each other on a personal and professional level. Interpersonal communication is a skill based on a person’s intellectual, social and personal skills.

Inclusive language

Inclusive language refers to broadly spoken language that is measured against the preferences of the conversation partner. This affects, for example, mutual respect for each other, consideration based on feelings and (when in doubt) asking questions. One can, for example, paraphrase: repeat in one’s own words what has been written or said before, in this case to find out whether one has understood the other correctly.

Conversation killers

Conversation killers are phrases or words that exclude one or more conversation partners from the conversation. A conversation killer can be a legitimate tool, but usually creates an immediate difference in hierarchy within the conversation. It results in an uneven conversation in which someone’s addition is no longer valued and in most cases renders them completely irrelevant.

Examples include: Don’t be impolite. You don’t know that because you haven’t experienced that.

Inclusion unsettlement

Inclusion unsettlement is the unsettlement one can experience and have to go through when one comes into contact with ‘otherness’.

Othering (in terms of ableism)

An example of othering is the unnecessary naming of a (visible) disability before the need to do so arises. Involving making assumptions and expressing thoughts on or to the person with the disability. This comes mainly from wanting to neutralize a one-sided discomfort, which then inevitably leads to the discomfort of the person with the disability.

Nonbinary

Most people – including most transgender people – are either male or female. But some people don’t neatly fit into the categories of “man” or “woman,” or “male” or “female.” For example, some people have a gender that blends elements of being a man or a woman, or a gender that is different than either male or female. Some people don’t identify with any gender. Some people’s gender changes over time. 

Cisgender

Cis, short for cisgender (pronounced sis-gender, or just sis), is a term that means whatever gender you are now is the same as what was presumed for you at birth. This simply means that when a parent or doctor called you a boy or a girl when you were born, they got it right.

Intersex

Refers to individuals born with ambiguous genitalia or bodies that appear neither typically male nor female, often arising from chromosomal anomalies or ambiguous genitalia.

Microaggression

A comment or action that unconsciously or unintentionally expresses or reveals a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group, such as a racial minority. These small, common occurrences include insults, slights, stereotyping, undermining, devaluing, delegitimizing, overlooking or excluding someone. Over time, microaggressions can isolate and alienate those on the receiving end, and affect their health and wellbeing.

Privilege

An advantage that comes from historical oppression of other groups. Privilege can be seen in race, gender, sexuality, ability, socioeconomic status, age etc. Acknowledging it isn’t meant to shame those with certain privilege but rather challenge the systems that make it exist. It does not mean that you with a certain privilege have never had challenges in life, just that there are some challenges you will not experience because of your identity.

Ableism (ENG)

“Beliefs or practices that rest on the assumption that being able-bodied is “normal” while other states of being need to be “fixed” or altered. This can result in devaluing or discriminating against people with physical, intellectual or psychiatric disabilities. Institutionalized ableism may include or take the form of un/intentional organizational barriers that result in disparate treatment of people with disabilities”

 

BIPOC

Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) is used to highlight the unique relationship to whiteness that Indigenous and Black (African Americans) people have, which shapes the experiences of and relationship to white supremacy for all people of color within a U.S. context.

 

Gender expression/Presentation

Outward manifestations of one’s gender identity as presented by one’s vocal tenor, body shape, hairstyle, clothing selection, behavior, etc. Many transgender people seek to align their gender expression (how they look) with their gender identity (who they are), rather than with the gender associated with their sex assigned at birth.