Tokenism: meaning, definitions and examples

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tokenism

 

[ หˆtoสŠ.kษ™.nษช.zษ™m ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

social practice

Tokenism refers to the practice of making a superficial effort to be inclusive to members of underrepresented groups, often to avoid criticism or allegations of discrimination. This typically involves the inclusion of a small number of people from marginalized groups in a group or organization, but without providing them with genuine authority or opportunity for meaningful participation.

Synonyms

superficial inclusion, symbolic representation, window dressing

Examples of usage

  • The company's tokenism was evident in their hiring practices, where they employed one woman for a predominantly male team.
  • Critics argue that tokenism in diversity initiatives can undermine the real progress towards equality.
  • Tokenism can lead to people from marginalized groups feeling patronized rather than genuinely included.

Translations

Translations of the word "tokenism" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น tokenismo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคŸเฅ‹เค•เคจเคฟเคœเคผเฅเคฎ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Tokenismus

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tokenisme

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั‚ะพะบะตะฝั–ะทะผ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ tokenizm

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒˆใƒผใ‚ฏใƒณไธป็พฉ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท tokenisme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ tokenismo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tokenizm

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ† ํฐ์ฃผ์˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ุชูˆูƒูŠู†ูŠุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tokenismus

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ tokenizmus

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฑกๅพไธปไน‰

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ tokenizem

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ tokenismi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะพะบะตะฝะธะทะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒขแƒแƒ™แƒ”แƒœแƒ˜แƒ–แƒ›แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tokenizm

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ tokenismo

Etymology

The term 'tokenism' emerged in the 1960s during the civil rights movement in the United States, a period that saw increased awareness and advocacy for racial and gender equality. It derives from the word 'token', which historically refers to a symbol or sign representing a larger reality. The practice itself is often criticized for being a mere gesture rather than a commitment to real change, leading to a deeper examination of systemic issues. Over the years, tokenism has been discussed in various contexts, including gender equality, racial diversity, and representation in media and workplaces, highlighting the importance of genuine inclusion over symbolic gestures. The concept has also been adapted in discussions of social justice, prompting activists to challenge organizations and institutions that employ tokenism instead of fostering genuine diversity and inclusion.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,223, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.