SYPP’s Definitions

Here are definitions for some of the most common social justice concepts we talk about at Seattle Young People’s Project:

Empowerment: The natural process of  using the power that already exists within us and our communities to achieve our potential and to improve the world around us.

Organizing: Unite to Fight!  Coming together and using our collective strength to shift the balance of power and win positive changes for our communities.

Solidarity: The process of taking action to support other people in their efforts to empower themselves and to resist injustice, even if you are not directly affected or benefited.

Oppression: The systematic repression and exploitation of specific communities and individuals for the benefit of other communities and individuals.  Oppression is an unjust social relationship that exists at all levels of society: it is internalized, interpersonal, institutional, interconnected, and international.

Adultism: An imbalanced preference of adult perspectives, actions, language and culture. Adultism usually excludes youth. (from Freechild.org)

Institutional Racism: A comprehensive system of power and oppression that benefits those who are socially defined as white at the expense of those who are social defined as people of color.  Institutional racism is rooted in the history of U.S. and is practiced by all institutions in U.S. society (such as schools, banks, government offices, the criminal justice system, the mass media, and the military).

Homophobia: Literally means the “fear of homosexuals.”  This word describes prejudice and discrimination toward people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, or questioning.

Heterosexism: The system of oppression that we live under that gives heterosexual people institutional power and privilege at the expense of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning people.

Sexism: The system of oppression that upholds men at the expense of women, across  cultural, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized levels.  Sexism is also tied to a gender binary system which forces the idea that there are only two genders of “man” and “women,” when in reality a whole spectrum of genders is possible.

Transphobia: Fear and discrimination against transgender, transsexual, and genderqueer people, or anyone who doesn’t fit cleanly into society’s gender categories.  Transphobia is strongly linked to sexism, homophobia, and the gender binary system.

Classism: Oppression based on economic status, rooted in our competitive economic system called Capitalism.  Classism is used to justify the exploitation and oppression of poor and working class people and the power and privileges awarded to the wealthy.

Ableism: Systemic and cultural power awarded to (temporarily) able-bodied/minded people at the expense of people who are socially defined as disabled.