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Dismantling Racism Resource Book

VIOLENCE/THREAT OF VIOLENCE
Definition: the sanctioning of violence either through direct threat or through lack of protection.
Example: As Asian American communities started Example: Recent statistics indicate that one in
to profit in California in the nineteenth century, three women are targets of sexualized
their farms and businesses were burned down, and violence in their lifetime. Most women live
they were physically assaulted with little recourse with the understanding and fear that they
to justice. may be targets of rape.

THE OTHER
Definition: those who are not part of the defined norm
Example: Aristotle believed that women were simply a Example: The historical development of
weaker version of men, and Freud defined women in views toward people of color offer
terms of lack (lacking the phallus). Although women evidence that the Other is not simply a
are not a minority, this culture sees them as the chance of relations between different
Other in relation to a male norm. Cast from the norm, groups of people, but rather a carefully
women in western society have often been viewed as and consciously constructed set of power
mysterious and as something to be discovered. relations based on discernible differences.

INTERNALIZED OPPRESSION
Definition: the devaluing of ones own identity and culture according to societal norms.
Example: Rates of suicide are high among BGLT youth Example: Women often do not pursue full
in part because they have grown up in a culture that medical care because they feel they do not
has taught them that their identity is not valued. deserve good medical care.

INVISIBILITY
Definition: ignoring or denying the existence, histories and achievements of certain groups of
people.
Example: Most Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity, Example: Many people believe they do
are taught history in such a way that they do not know not know anyone who is gay. Yet many
what various communities of color and what white women trans, lesbian, bisexual and gay people
were doing over the course of US history. The absence of do not reveal their identities to
visibility gives the impression that aside from a few family and friends and co-workers out
exceptional people, they were not “doing” anything worth of fear of rejection or discrimination.
discussing.

HORIZONTAL HOSTILITY
Definition: acting out toward other members of the target group; safer than confronting
oppressive forces.
Example: Gang violence within Example: Discouraging people of one’s cultural group from
communities of color. succeeding in the larger society with the accusation of selling out.

Dismantling Racism Project 34 Western States Center