Glossary

This glossary has been written to encourage debate and discussion.

It has been written from a Scottish perspective. This means terms used within Scotland may not have equivalent meaning when transferred to another part of the world. It has also to be remembered that terms are evolving and developing all the time and what is offered here reflects the discussions as it stands when this was written in June 2004.

Find term in the A to Z

Keyword search

Glossary of terms
Race	This is a controversial term, which comes from historical, attempts to categorise people according to their skin colour and physical characteristics. The word has no scientific basis for divisions into biologically determined groups. Individuals, not 'races' are the main sources of human variation. It is however in everyday use and is enshrined in legislation in the Race Relations Acts.
Racialism	As distinct from racism the term racialism is used to refer to an active belief system, and its associated behaviours, based on the basic belief of racial difference in the human experience. This perspective is founded on a belief in the fixed nature of races and in their different status and value. Racialism has often historically been used as a rationale for colonial or imperial oppression at times where people from one part of the world have conquered others elsewhere.
Racism	Broadly used to refer to the ideology of superiority of a particular race over another. This notion of superiority is then applied to and embedded in structures, practices, attitudes, beliefs and processes of a social grouping which then serves to further perpetuate and transmit this ideology. Racism appears in several, often interrelated forms e.g. personal, cultural, institutional and societal. For more information about different forms of racism, go to www.antiracisttoolkit.org.uk and click on Glossary.
Radical	Person who advocates fundamental or extreme social, religious or political changes.
Rastafarianism	Rastafarianism is a religion that was created in the early 1900s due to the social and poor economic conditions of the black people in Jamaica. The followers of Rastafarianism believe that Haile Selassie the former Emperor of Ethiopia is the Black Messiah who appeared in the flesh for the redemption of all Blacks exiled in the world of white oppressors. The movement views Ethiopia as the Promised Land. The group has no individual leadership. Dreadlocks are a common characteristic among Rastas, symbolizing deep devotion to the holy God.
Religion	The term comes from the Latin religare, which means to tie or to bind. Religions are belief systems rather than individual discrete beliefs. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
Respect	Treating someone in keeping with or belief in someone's self-worth, admiring those qualities in another.
Rites of Passage	Ceremonies, actions or celebrations, which mark important life events, e.g. birth, death, marriage etc.