DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION (DEI) VOCABULARY QUIZ

What’s the difference between equity and equality? How familiar are you with terms like BIPOC, gender nonconforming and cultural appropriation? You can find out by taking the quiz below. There are 37 questions in total.

Take our vocabulary quiz to test your knowledge of DEI terms!

Did you know: After completing the DEI quiz, you’re one step closing to earning your United Way NCA Equity Advocate badge, which you can proudly display on your LinkedIn profile. Learn more here.

1) A three-story office building does not have a working elevator. This is an example of:

Eurocentrism

Ableism

Cisgender

Anti-racism

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Correct! Ableism: Discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities, often resulting in the exclusion or marginalization of disabled people.

The correct answer is ableism. Eurocentrism: A perspective that places Europe and European culture at the center, often disregarding or marginalizing other cultures and viewpoints.

The correct answer is ableism. Cisgender: Referring to individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.

The correct answer is ableism. Anti-racism: The active opposition and fight against racism and racial discrimination.

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2) Andrew, a 70-year-old grandfather of 6, signs up to go skydiving. When the day comes, the instructor laughs and asks Andrew if he really wants to participate at his age. This is an example of:

Ableism

Misogyny

Ageism

Cultural appropriation

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Correct! Ageism: Prejudice or discrimination against individuals based on their age, often leading to the marginalization of older people or younger generations.

The correct answer is ageism. Ableism: Discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities, often resulting in the exclusion or marginalization of disabled people.

The correct answer is ageism. Misogyny: Hatred, prejudice, or discrimination against women based on their gender.

The correct answer is ageism. Cultural appropriation: The adoption, borrowing, or imitation of elements from another culture, often without understanding or respecting its significance, leading to exploitation or disrespect.

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3) A heterosexual woman participates in a Pride parade and actively advocates for LGBTQ+ rights in the workplace. This woman is a(n) _____ to the LGBTQ+ community.

Ally

BIPOC

Ableism

Colorblind

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Correct! Ally: A person who supports and advocates for marginalized communities and actively works against oppression.

The correct answer is ally. BIPOC: An acronym for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, referring to non-white individuals who are often marginalized due to systemic racism.

The correct answer is ally. Ableism: Discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities, often resulting in the exclusion or marginalization of disabled people.

The correct answer is ally. Colorblind: The belief or approach that disregards racial or ethnic differences, often failing to acknowledge or address systemic racism.

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4) What does BIPOC stand for?

Bisexual, Intersectional People of Color

Black, Indigenous and People of Color

Black, Intersectional Persons of Culture

Bisexual, Indigenous and Persons of Culture

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5) Denying the Holocaust is an example of:

Anti-racism

Classism

Colorblind

Anti-semitism

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Correct! Anti-Semitism: Prejudice, discrimination, or hostility towards Jewish people based on their religion, ethnicity, or heritage.

The correct answer is Anti-Semitism. Anti-racism: The active opposition and fight against racism and racial discrimination.

The correct answer is Anti-Semitism. Classism: Discrimination or prejudice based on social or economic class, leading to the marginalization of individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

The correct answer is Anti-Semitism. Colorblind: The belief or approach that disregards racial or ethnic differences, often failing to acknowledge or address systemic racism.

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6) Someone whose gender identity and expression line up with their birth-assigned sex is:

Transgender

Cisgender

Intersex

BIPOC

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Correct! Cisgender: Referring to individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.

The correct answer is cisgender. Transgender: An individual whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

The correct answer is cisgender. Intersex: Individuals born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of male or female.

The correct answer is cisgender. BIPOC: An acronym for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, referring to non-white individuals who are often marginalized due to systemic racism.

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7) _________ is actively opposing discrimination based on race by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life.

Anti-racism

Discrimination

Classism

Colorblind

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Correct! Anti-racism: The active opposition and fight against racism and racial discrimination.

The correct answer is Anti-racism. Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, or religion.

The correct answer is Anti-racism. Classism: Discrimination or prejudice based on social or economic class, leading to the marginalization of individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

The correct answer is Anti-racism. Colorblind: The belief or approach that disregards racial or ethnic differences, often failing to acknowledge or address systemic racism.

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8) Discrimination on the basis of socioeconomic status is:

Ageism

Ableism

Gaslighting

Classism

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Correct! Classism: Discrimination or prejudice based on social or economic class, leading to the marginalization of individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

The correct answer is classism. Ageism: Prejudice or discrimination against individuals based on their age, often leading to the marginalization of older people or younger generations.

The correct answer is classism. Ableism: Discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities, often resulting in the exclusion or marginalization of disabled people.

The correct answer is classism. Gaslighting: Manipulative behavior that aims to make someone doubt their own perceptions, memory, or sanity.

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9) “It doesn’t matter if you’re Black, White, or Green. All of my students are the same: I don’t see color.” This quote is an example of what?

Gender Identity

Colorblind

Discrimination

Ethnocentrism

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Correct! Colorblind: The belief or approach that disregards racial or ethnic differences, often failing to acknowledge or address systemic racism

The correct answer is colorblind. Gender Identity: An individual's deeply-felt sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex they were assigned at birth.

The correct answer is colorblind. Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, or religion.

The correct answer is colorblind. Ethnocentrism: The belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic or cultural group, often leading to the devaluation or marginalization of other groups.

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10) What is cultural appropriation?

A term used to describe the taking over of creative or artistic forms, themes, or practices by one cultural group from another.

An identity term for a person who is attracted to people of all genders: men, women, transgender individuals, and genderqueers.

Dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.

The idea that multiple identities intersect to create a whole identity.

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11) Discrimination is:

The prejudicial treatment of different people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.

Judging another culture solely based on the standards and values of one’s own culture.

Refers to the unquestioned and unearned set of advantages, entitlements, benefits and choices bestowed on people solely because they are White.

A form of stereotyping based on preconceived ideas about a person’s character.

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12) Ethnocentrism is:

A term used to describe the taking over of creative or artistic forms, themes, or practices by one cultural group from another.

A form of psychological manipulation in which a person or a group covertly sows seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group, making them question their own experience(s).

Judging another culture solely based on the standards and values of one’s own culture.

Refers specifically to the ways in which institutional policies and practices create different outcomes for different racial groups.

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13) What’s the difference between equality and equity?

Equality means everyone is given the same resources; Equity means that everyone is given the resources that they need to succeed.

Equity means everyone is given the same resources; Equality means that everyone is given the resources that they need to succeed.

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14) _________ favors European cultural norms and excludes the realities and experiences of other cultural groups.

Eurocentrism

Gaslighting

Institutional racism

Intersectionality

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Correct! Eurocentrism: A perspective that places Europe and European culture at the center, often disregarding or marginalizing other cultures and viewpoints.

The correct answer is Eurocentrism. Gaslighting: Manipulative behavior that aims to make someone doubt their own perceptions, memory, or sanity.

The correct answer is Eurocentrism. Institutional racism: Systemic patterns of racism embedded within institutions and organizations, leading to the marginalization or disadvantage of certain racial or ethnic groups.

The correct answer is Eurocentrism. Intersectionality: The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, which can create overlapping and intersecting systems of discrimination or privilege.

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15) A form of psychological manipulation in which a person or a group covertly sows seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group, making them question their own experience(s).

Discrimination

Gaslighting

Intersectionality

Ableism

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Correct! Gaslighting: Manipulative behavior that aims to make someone doubt their own perceptions, memory, or sanity.

The correct answer is gaslighting. Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, or religion.

The correct answer is gaslighting. Intersectionality: The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, which can create overlapping and intersecting systems of discrimination or privilege.

The correct answer is gaslighting. Ableism: Discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities, often resulting in the exclusion or marginalization of disabled people.

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16) What is the Gender Binary?

A person’s innate sense of their own gender.

A social construction of gender in which there are two distinct and opposite genders: male/masculine/men and female/feminine/women.

Refers specifically to the ways in which institutional policies and practices create different outcomes for different racial groups.

Behavior or gender expression by an individual that does not match masculine and feminine gender norms.

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17) Gender Identity is:

A person’s innate sense of their own gender. This may include identities on either end of the gender binary, somewhere in-between or outside the gender binary.

Actively opposing discrimination based on race by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life.

A social construction of gender in which there are two distinct and opposite genders: male/masculine/men and female/feminine/women.

Judging another culture solely based on the standards and values of one’s own culture.

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18) Which of the following best describes the term, “Gender Non-Conforming”?

A behavior or gender expression by an individual that does not match masculine and feminine gender norms.

A social construction of gender in which there are two distinct and opposite genders: male/masculine/men and female/feminine/women.

Someone whose gender identity and expression line up with their birth-assigned sex.

An identity term for a person who is attracted to people of all genders: men, women, transgender individuals, and genderqueers.

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19) What refers specifically to the ways in which institutional policies and practices create different outcomes for different racial groups?

Classism

Institutional Racism

Eurocentrism

Microaggressions

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Correct! Institutional Racism: Systemic patterns of racism embedded within institutions and organizations, leading to the marginalization or disadvantage of certain racial or ethnic groups.

The correct answer is institutional racism. Classism: Discrimination or prejudice based on social or economic class, leading to the marginalization of individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

The correct answer is institutional racism. Eurocentrism: A perspective that places Europe and European culture at the center, often disregarding or marginalizing other cultures and viewpoints.

The correct answer is institutional racism. Microaggressions: Subtle, often unintentional acts or comments that convey discriminatory or derogatory messages towards marginalized individuals or groups.

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20) A learned fear and self-hatred of one’s own identity or identity group based on the acceptance of oppressive stereotypes, attitudes, and beliefs about their identity group is known as:

Ageism

Oppression

Cisgender

Internalized Oppression

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Correct! Internalized Oppression: When members of marginalized groups internalize and believe negative stereotypes or beliefs about their own group, leading to self-devaluation and diminished self-esteem.

The correct answer is internalized oppression. Ageism: Prejudice or discrimination against individuals based on their age, often leading to the marginalization of older people or younger generations.

The correct answer is internalized oppression. Oppression: The systemic and pervasive mistreatment, subjugation, or discrimination of individuals or groups based on factors such as race, gender, or social class.

The correct answer is internalized oppression. Cisgender: Referring to individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.

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21) Which term describes the idea that multiple identities intersect to create a whole identity (gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, etc.)?

Discrimination

Pansexual

Intersectionality

Misogyny

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Correct! Intersectionality: The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, which can create overlapping and intersecting systems of discrimination or privilege.

The correct answer is intersectionality. Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, or religion.

The correct answer is intersectionality. Pansexual: A sexual orientation characterized by the potential for attraction to people of all genders or sexes.

The correct answer is intersectionality. Misogyny: Hatred, prejudice, or discrimination against women based on their gender.

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22) Layla, a Muslim woman who wears a hijab, avoids traveling by plane due to the stares and negative attention from other passengers. The passenger’s judgemental actions are examples of:

Anti-Semitism

Islamophobia

Ableism

Classism

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Correct! Islamophobia: Prejudice, discrimination, or hostility towards Muslims based on their religion or perceived association with Islam.

The correct answer is Islamophobia. Anti-Semitism: Prejudice, discrimination, or hostility towards Jewish people based on their religion, ethnicity, or heritage.

The correct answer is Islamophobia. Ableism: Discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities, often resulting in the exclusion or marginalization of disabled people.

The correct answer is Islamophobia. Classism: Discrimination or prejudice based on social or economic class, leading to the marginalization of individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

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23) Microaggressions are...

The everyday verbal and nonverbal whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.

A term used to describe systems, relations, or behaviors which disadvantage groups or individuals through formal institutions or informal attitudes and behaviors.

A learned fear and self-hatred of one’s own identity or identity group based on the acceptance of oppressive stereotypes, attitudes, and beliefs about their identity group.

A form of psychological manipulation in which a person or a group covertly sows seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group, making them question their own experience.

Next Question >

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24) Which of the following is a term used to describe systems, relations, or behaviors which disadvantage groups or individuals through formal institutions or informal attitudes and behaviors?

Ableism

Oppression

Discrimination

Pay Equity

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Correct! Oppression: The systemic and pervasive mistreatment, subjugation, or discrimination of individuals or groups based on factors such as race, gender, or social class.

The correct answer is oppression. Ableism: Discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities, often resulting in the exclusion or marginalization of disabled people.

The correct answer is oppression. Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, or religion.

The correct answer is oppression. Pay equity: The principle of providing equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender or other discriminatory factors.

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25) A person who is attracted to people of all genders likely identifies as:

Pansexual

Heterosexual

Transgender

Cisgender

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Correct! Pansexual: A sexual orientation characterized by the potential for attraction to people of all genders or sexes.

The correct answer is pansexual. Heterosexual: A sexual orientation characterized by attraction to people of the opposite gender or sex.

The correct answer is pansexual. Transgender: An individual whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

The correct answer is pansexual. Cisgender: Referring to individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.

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26) The practice of compensating employees the same when they perform the same or similar job duties, while accounting for other factors, such as their experience level, job performance and tenure with the employer is:

Pay Equity

Equality

Racial Profiling

Eurocentrism

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Correct! Pay equity: The principle of providing equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender or other discriminatory factors.

The correct answer is pay equity. Equality: The state of being equal in rights, opportunities, and treatment without discrimination or bias.

The correct answer is pay equity. Racial profiling: The practice of targeting individuals based on their race or ethnicity for suspicion or scrutiny by law enforcement or other authorities.

The correct answer is pay equity. Eurocentrism: A perspective that places Europe and European culture at the center, often disregarding or marginalizing other cultures and viewpoints.

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27) When someone from a non-marginalized group professes support and solidarity with a marginalized group in a way that either isn't helpful or that actively harms that group, this is known as:

Xenophobia

Cisgender

Gaslighting

Performative Allyship

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Correct! Performative Allyship: Superficial or insincere actions that individuals or groups take to appear supportive of marginalized communities without genuinely addressing systemic issues or advocating for meaningful change.

The correct answer is performative allyship. Xenophobia: Prejudice, fear, or hostility towards individuals or groups perceived as foreign or different, particularly based on their nationality or ethnicity.

The correct answer is performative allyship. Cisgender: Referring to individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.

The correct answer is performative allyship. Gaslighting: Manipulative behavior that aims to make someone doubt their own perceptions, memory, or sanity.

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28) A form of stereotyping based on preconceived ideas about a person’s character based on their race.

Anti-racism

Misogyny

Racial profiling

Internalized Oppression

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Correct! Racial profiling: The practice of targeting individuals based on their race or ethnicity for suspicion or scrutiny by law enforcement or other authorities.

The correct answer is racial profiling. Anti-racism: The active opposition and fight against racism and racial discrimination.

The correct answer is racial profiling. Misogyny: Hatred, prejudice, or discrimination against women based on their gender.

The correct answer is racial profiling. Internalized Oppression: When members of marginalized groups internalize and believe negative stereotypes or beliefs about their own group, leading to self-devaluation and diminished self-esteem.

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29) A person whose gender identity does not align with the gender they were assigned at birth is:

Cisgender

Transgender

Pansexual

Eurocentric

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Correct! Transgender: An individual whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

The correct answer is transgender. Cisgender: Referring to individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.

The correct answer is transgender. Pansexual: A sexual orientation characterized by the potential for attraction to people of all genders or sexes.

The correct answer is transgender. Eurocentric: Centered around or favoring European culture, perspectives, or values.

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30) The unquestioned and unearned set of advantages, entitlements, benefits and choices bestowed on people solely because they are White:

White Privilege

Xenophobia

Internalized Oppression

Classism

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Correct! White Privilege: Societal privileges and advantages that white individuals may experience due to their race, often at the expense of marginalized racial or ethnic groups.

The correct answer is white privilege. Xenophobia: Prejudice, fear, or hostility towards individuals or groups perceived as foreign or different, particularly based on their nationality or ethnicity.

The correct answer is white privilege. Internalized Oppression: When members of marginalized groups internalize and believe negative stereotypes or beliefs about their own group, leading to self-devaluation and diminished self-esteem.

The correct answer is white privilege. Classism: Discrimination or prejudice based on social or economic class, leading to the marginalization of individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

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31) Xenophobia is:

Refers specifically to the ways in which institutional policies and practices create different outcomes for different racial groups.

When someone from a non marginalized group professes support and solidarity with a marginalized group in a way that either isn't helpful or that actively harms that group.

A system of oppression that works against the young and the old and values individuals of a particular age range.

A system of oppression based on the fear, hatred or mistrust of that which is foreign, especially strangers or people from different countries or cultures.

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32) Dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.

Misogyny

Xenophobia

Anti-semitism

Oppression

Next Question >

Correct! Misogyny: Hatred, prejudice, or discrimination against women based on their gender.

The correct answer is misogyny. Xenophobia: Prejudice, fear, or hostility towards individuals or groups perceived as foreign or different, particularly based on their nationality or ethnicity.

The correct answer is misogyny. Anti-Semitism: Prejudice, discrimination, or hostility towards Jewish people based on their religion, ethnicity, or heritage.

The correct answer is misogyny. Oppression: The systemic and pervasive mistreatment, subjugation, or discrimination of individuals or groups based on factors such as race, gender, or social class.

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33) Critical Race Theory is...

A term used to describe the taking over of creative or artistic forms, themes, or practices by one cultural group from another.

The idea is that race is a social construct, and that racism is not merely the product of individual bias or prejudice, but also something embedded in legal systems and policies.

A form of stereotyping based on preconceived ideas about a person’s character.

Judging another culture solely based on the standards and values of one’s own culture.

Next Question >

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34) A University is under scrutiny for a lack of diversity on campus. The University does not change any of its admission policies or resources, but begins using photos of Black students in their marketing materials to give a superficial appearance of equality. This is an example of:

Tokenism

Critical Race Theory

Classism

Intersectionality

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Correct! Tokenism: The practice of making only a symbolic or superficial effort towards diversity or inclusion by including a few individuals from underrepresented groups.

The correct answer is tokenism. Critical Race Theory: An academic framework that examines and challenges the ways in which race and racism intersect with law, society, and power structures.

The correct answer is tokenism. Classism: Discrimination or prejudice based on social or economic class, leading to the marginalization of individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

The correct answer is tokenism. Intersectionality: The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, which can create overlapping and intersecting systems of discrimination or privilege.

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35) What does the acronym, LGBTQIA+, stand for?

Lesbian, Gay, Black, Tokenism, Queer/Questioning, Indigenous, Asexual, plus

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, plus

Lesbian, Gender Identity, Black, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Ally, plus

Lesbian, Gender Identity, Bisexual,Tokenism, Queer/Questioning, Indigenous, Ally, plus

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36) Which of the following communities are subject to the Model Minority Myth?

LGBTQIA+

Black Communities

Asian Communities

Women

Next Question >

The correct answer is Asian communities. LGBTQIA+: An acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual, representing diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and variations in sex characteristics.

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37) The social, economic, and political systems that collectively enable white people to maintain power over people of other races is known as…

Internalized oppression

Intersectionality

Patriarchy

White Supremacy

See the Results

Correct! White supremacy: The belief in and promotion of the idea that white people are superior to people of other races, often accompanied by systemic or institutionalized discrimination and oppression.

The correct answer is white supremacy. Internalized oppression: The process by which individuals from marginalized groups internalize and accept the negative beliefs, stereotypes, or prejudices about their own group, leading to self-devaluation and limited self-perception.

The correct answer is white supremacy. Intersectionality: The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, which can create overlapping and intersecting systems of discrimination or privilege.

The correct answer is white supremacy. Patriarchy: A social system in which men hold primary power and dominance, resulting in the oppression and marginalization of women and other gender minorities.

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