Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice

Some of the topics and concepts that will be discussed throughout this guide are:

• Accessibility
• Anti-Ableism
• Anti-Fatmisia
• Anti-Oppression
• Anti-Queermisia
• Anti-Xenomisia
• Gender
• Intersectionality
• Privilege
• Race and Anti-Racism
• Social Justice

What does the suffix -misia mean, and why use it?

The suffix -misia comes from the Greek word misos, which means "abhorrence of, hatred, disgust for, or the revulsion of." Using the suffix -phobia, from the Greek word meaning "fear of," implies that the oppression is the result of fear and not hatred. The literature and resources being shared in this guide address prejudice and discriminatory practices that originate from hatred and revulsion of specific groups. Therefore, we believe that -misia is a better-suited suffix.

What are Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?

The American Library Association (2017) defines DEI as:

• Diversity is "the sum of the ways that people are both alike and different. When we recognize, value, and embrace diversity, we are recognizing, valuing, and embracing the uniqueness of each individual."
• Equity "takes difference into account to ensure a fair process and, ultimately, a fair outcome. Equity recognizes that some groups were (and are) disadvantaged in accessing educational and employment opportunities and are, therefore, underrepresented or marginalized in many organizations and institutions. Equity, therefore, means increasing diversity by ameliorating conditions of disadvantaged groups."
• Inclusion "means an environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully; are valued for their distinctive skills, experiences, and perspectives; have equal access to resources and opportunities; and can contribute fully to the organization’s success."

Each of these principles also accounts for accessibility -  “when a person with a disability is allowed to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a person without a disability in an equally integrated and equally effective manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use” (OCR, 2013). This includes access for people that are socio-economically disadvantaged, as well as historically underrepresented and marginalized groups.

What is Anti-oppression?

Anti-oppression is the principle that seeks to liberate groups from prejudice, inequality, and dominance. Anti-oppression  challenges systems that perpetuate systemic prejudice. Anti-oppression is not the same as DEI, however, DEI principles go hand-in-hand with anti-oppression strategies, actions, and practices. 

Northern Essex Community College resides on the ancestral lands of the Pennacook communities, the original land of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribes. We acknowledge that the Pennacoock were removed from their land through hegemonic and colonial processes that caused pain and displacement. It is by acknowledging the connection of this land and its first inhabitants, we seek to show "respect and a step toward correcting the stories and practices that erase Indigenous people’s history and culture and toward inviting and honoring the truth" (U.S. Department of Arts & Culture, n.d.). We also acknowledge the history of Caribbean, Latinx, Black American, Asian settlers, and guests, whose history has also been marked by colonialism, violence, and loss. We work to acknowledge and put forth the history of those who have been silenced and whose history has been subject to erasure as the result of systemic oppression.