#WriteInclusion Factsheets
Expanded glossary of terms
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Micronesia
A subregion of Oceania in the western Pacific Ocean comprising thousands of islands, including Kiribati, Nauru, the Mariana Islands (e.g., Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian), the Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia (made up of 607 islands).
A subregion of Oceania in the western Pacific Ocean comprising thousands of islands, including Kiribati, Nauru, the Mariana Islands (e.g., Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian), the Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia (made up of 607 islands).
Migrant Worker
One who travels seasonally for temporary work. Not all are undocumented (and not all undocumented individuals are migrant workers). As the U.S. border has become militarized, many who once came seasonally now stay and live as undocumented immigrants.
One who travels seasonally for temporary work. Not all are undocumented (and not all undocumented individuals are migrant workers). As the U.S. border has become militarized, many who once came seasonally now stay and live as undocumented immigrants.
Military Family/MilFam: Military Family (MilFam or Mil-Fam)
The spouse, children, and extended family of service members who often move in accordance to their enlisted family's deployments.
The spouse, children, and extended family of service members who often move in accordance to their enlisted family's deployments.
Military Sexual Assault
Sexual assault in the military refers to sexual contact characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority as well as instances in which the survivor is unable to consent. The definition of sexual assault is consistent with the term military sexual trauma (MST), which was coined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Both the VA and Department of Defense (DoD) include sexual harassment and inappropriate touching within the category of sexual violence. While military sexual assault is often framed as a women’s issue, it impacts both men and women. See here and here.
Sexual assault in the military refers to sexual contact characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority as well as instances in which the survivor is unable to consent. The definition of sexual assault is consistent with the term military sexual trauma (MST), which was coined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Both the VA and Department of Defense (DoD) include sexual harassment and inappropriate touching within the category of sexual violence. While military sexual assault is often framed as a women’s issue, it impacts both men and women. See here and here.
Minority Stress
Chronically high levels of stress endured by members of stigmatized communities (e.g., BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, religious minorities, HIV+) caused by the prejudice, discrimination, and systemic oppression they face. This leads to a number of negative mental and physical health disparities among these groups (e.g., internalized racism, transphobia, homophobia; increased risk-taking behavior; anxiety; high blood pressure).
Chronically high levels of stress endured by members of stigmatized communities (e.g., BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, religious minorities, HIV+) caused by the prejudice, discrimination, and systemic oppression they face. This leads to a number of negative mental and physical health disparities among these groups (e.g., internalized racism, transphobia, homophobia; increased risk-taking behavior; anxiety; high blood pressure).
Misogynoir
Coined by the queer Black feminist Dr. Moya Bailey in 2010, the term blends concepts that combines “misogyny” (extreme hatred of women) and the French word for black, “noir.” Per Ms. Bailey, misogynoir is the anti-Black racist misogyny that Black women experience. As noted by the Blackburn Center, misogynoir comes in many forms in daily life, for instance 1) Black women are viewed as threatening or angry whenever they speak up for themselves, and 2) Maternal mortality rates for Black women are three times higher than for white women in the United States, with many attributing that to racial bias in the healthcare system.
Coined by the queer Black feminist Dr. Moya Bailey in 2010, the term blends concepts that combines “misogyny” (extreme hatred of women) and the French word for black, “noir.” Per Ms. Bailey, misogynoir is the anti-Black racist misogyny that Black women experience. As noted by the Blackburn Center, misogynoir comes in many forms in daily life, for instance 1) Black women are viewed as threatening or angry whenever they speak up for themselves, and 2) Maternal mortality rates for Black women are three times higher than for white women in the United States, with many attributing that to racial bias in the healthcare system.
Misogyny
Hatred, dislike, or distrust of women, girls, and femininity. This manifests in many ways, such as violence against women, violence against feminine men, rape culture, the devaluing of traditionally feminized work, jokes (e.g., “dumb blond,” “my wife is a nag,” rape jokes), etc.
Hatred, dislike, or distrust of women, girls, and femininity. This manifests in many ways, such as violence against women, violence against feminine men, rape culture, the devaluing of traditionally feminized work, jokes (e.g., “dumb blond,” “my wife is a nag,” rape jokes), etc.
Mixed-Status Family
When individuals within a family have different citizenship/immigration statuses.
When individuals within a family have different citizenship/immigration statuses.
MLM
Stands for “man-loving man” or “men-loving men.” This term has become a unifying label for a man who is attracted to and/or has emotional, romantic, and sexual partnerships with other men (e.g., gay, bi, pansexual, same-gender-loving men). Often stylized as “mlm.”
Stands for “man-loving man” or “men-loving men.” This term has become a unifying label for a man who is attracted to and/or has emotional, romantic, and sexual partnerships with other men (e.g., gay, bi, pansexual, same-gender-loving men). Often stylized as “mlm.”
Model Minority
Refers to the idea that some underrepresented groups in the U.S., especially Asian Americans, are perceived to have certain “positive” traits (e.g., industrious, politically undisruptive, intelligent, inoffensive, successful). This myth erases differences among individuals, while also driving a racial wedge between Asians and other underrepresented groups in the U.S.
Refers to the idea that some underrepresented groups in the U.S., especially Asian Americans, are perceived to have certain “positive” traits (e.g., industrious, politically undisruptive, intelligent, inoffensive, successful). This myth erases differences among individuals, while also driving a racial wedge between Asians and other underrepresented groups in the U.S.
Mohammed, Prophet
Mohammed was a prophet and messenger of God, not an intercessor of God. Muslims honor Mohammed only by following his teachings (not by praying to him). There are various acceptable spellings of the Prophet’s name (i.e. Muhammed).
Mohammed was a prophet and messenger of God, not an intercessor of God. Muslims honor Mohammed only by following his teachings (not by praying to him). There are various acceptable spellings of the Prophet’s name (i.e. Muhammed).
Money Bail
Also known as cash bail or bail bond; an amount of money determined by prosecutors and judges that must be paid so a suspect can be released from pre-trial detention.
Also known as cash bail or bail bond; an amount of money determined by prosecutors and judges that must be paid so a suspect can be released from pre-trial detention.
Muslim Ban
The deadly San Bernadino, CA, shooting in December 2015 led to Trump’s Muslim Ban. Between 2017 and 2018, the number of permanent visas given every month to Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen nationals fell by 72%. In June 2018, the Supreme Court upheld an amended version of Trump’s ban. Immigrants and many travelers from Iran, Libya, Somalia, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen are still banned. President Biden rescinded the ban in 2021, but its effects still remain.
The deadly San Bernadino, CA, shooting in December 2015 led to Trump’s Muslim Ban. Between 2017 and 2018, the number of permanent visas given every month to Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen nationals fell by 72%. In June 2018, the Supreme Court upheld an amended version of Trump’s ban. Immigrants and many travelers from Iran, Libya, Somalia, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen are still banned. President Biden rescinded the ban in 2021, but its effects still remain.
Muslim/Islam
A Muslim adheres to the religion, Islam, as a Christian adheres to Christianity. Islam means “the submission to the Oneness of God” and a Muslim who practices and a person who is “culturally” Muslim generally adhere to the same belief. Muslims worship and only pray to God; not to the Prophet Mohammed. Note that the “s” in both is a soft “s” as opposed to a “z,” i.e., MUS-luhm and ISS-luhm.
A Muslim adheres to the religion, Islam, as a Christian adheres to Christianity. Islam means “the submission to the Oneness of God” and a Muslim who practices and a person who is “culturally” Muslim generally adhere to the same belief. Muslims worship and only pray to God; not to the Prophet Mohammed. Note that the “s” in both is a soft “s” as opposed to a “z,” i.e., MUS-luhm and ISS-luhm.
Muxe
A “third gender” and Zapotec ethnic identity on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico. Muxe (pronounced mu-shay) includes a spectrum of people who were assigned male at birth but don’t inhabit traditionally masculine gender norms. They have been recognized, celebrated, and played an important part in their community since pre-colonization times. Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with this identity may code-switch and call themselves trans women, gay men, or non-binary in order for their identity to be legible to others. For more.
A “third gender” and Zapotec ethnic identity on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico. Muxe (pronounced mu-shay) includes a spectrum of people who were assigned male at birth but don’t inhabit traditionally masculine gender norms. They have been recognized, celebrated, and played an important part in their community since pre-colonization times.
Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with this identity may code-switch and call themselves trans women, gay men, or non-binary in order for their identity to be legible to others. For more.
MVPFAFF
An acronym to describe gender-diverse Pasifika identities: māhū (Hawai’i and Tahiti), vaka sa lewa lewa (Fiji), palopa (Papua New Guinea), fa’afafine (Samoa), akava’ine (Rarotonga), fakaleiti (Tonga), and fakafifine (Niue). The abbreviation is gaining prominence and is used to signify the existence of different Pacific cultures. Other terms include fakaleitī, fa'afatama, and rae-rae. Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with these identities may code-switch and call themselves trans or non-binary in order for their gender to be legible to others.
An acronym to describe gender-diverse Pasifika identities: māhū (Hawai’i and Tahiti), vaka sa lewa lewa (Fiji), palopa (Papua New Guinea), fa’afafine (Samoa), akava’ine (Rarotonga), fakaleiti (Tonga), and fakafifine (Niue). The abbreviation is gaining prominence and is used to signify the existence of different Pacific cultures. Other terms include fakaleitī, fa'afatama, and rae-rae. Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with these identities may code-switch and call themselves trans or non-binary in order for their gender to be legible to others.
National Guard
Part of the U.S. Reserve Component, comprising soldiers and airmen from each state and the territories of D.C., Guam (Saipan included), Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. All are also U.S. organized militia members. Most have full-time jobs while serving part-time, and all can be activated by their states’ governors and mobilized to support federal response to humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.
Part of the U.S. Reserve Component, comprising soldiers and airmen from each state and the territories of D.C., Guam (Saipan included), Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands. All are also U.S. organized militia members. Most have full-time jobs while serving part-time, and all can be activated by their states’ governors and mobilized to support federal response to humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.
Native Hawaiians
The indigenous people of the Hawaiian islands (called Kānaka Maoli). Throughout history, Native Hawaiians have had their sovereignty and culture dominated and challenged by the U.S. and other Asian and European colonizers. “Native Hawaiians” does not refer to everyone who lives on or who is born in Hawai’i.
The indigenous people of the Hawaiian islands (called Kānaka Maoli). Throughout history, Native Hawaiians have had their sovereignty and culture dominated and challenged by the U.S. and other Asian and European colonizers. “Native Hawaiians” does not refer to everyone who lives on or who is born in Hawai’i.
Neglect
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) – U.S. federal legislation – groups “child abuse and neglect” together, describing them as “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caregiver that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act that presents an imminent risk of serious harm.” However, neither CAPTA nor the federal government have defined “neglect” on its own. This ambiguity has created varying state definitions, and it has perpetuated disproportionate enforcement of BIPOC parents and guardians by child welfare agencies. Depending on the state, neglect may include excessive school absences, inadequate care (e.g., medical, psychological), and unmet basic needs (e.g., poor hygiene). Neglect is the most common form of maltreatment reported in U.S. child welfare investigations, and it’s often directly related to poverty (e.g., parents unable to afford childcare while working multiple low-wage jobs/long hours; children playing unsupervised outside of an urban residence). For more.
Neopronouns
A category of singular third-person pronouns created to be specifically gender-neutral (e.g., xe/xem, ze/zir, fae/faer). Neopronouns can be used by anyone but are most commonly used by non-binary and gender non-conforming people. For more.
A category of singular third-person pronouns created to be specifically gender-neutral (e.g., xe/xem, ze/zir, fae/faer). Neopronouns can be used by anyone but are most commonly used by non-binary and gender non-conforming people. For more.