Words have power. Here is what we mean when we use the following terms.
Ally - a person, usually one in a position of relative social privilege or power, working in solidarity with a marginalized group for that group's liberation. An ally does not belong to or identify with the group they work with, but uses their social position and privilege to the advantage of the marginalized group, despite potential risks to the ally themselves. However, it is not appropriate for allies to claim that label for themselves. Rather, it is a term bestowed by the group they work in solidarity with.
Gentrification - a process of neighborhood change that includes economic change in a historically disinvested neighborhood —by means of real estate investment and new higher-income residents moving in – as well as demographic change – not only in terms of income level, but also in terms of changes in the education level or racial make-up of residents. See Urban Displacement Project for more.
MaGe - marginalized gender; any person who does not identify as a cis man (examples: trans people, folks who transcend the gender binary in expression or identification, cis women, etc.)
Reparations - the process of making amends, or repairing, direct harm caused by one person or group against another. It is crucial that this process center the needs and voices of the people who have been harmed over those who caused the harm. Amends can come in the form of formal apology, financial restitution, changes in legislation and culture, and more. In the case of reparations for the legacy of ongoing harms of the institution of chattel slavery, Black people have expressed for centuries now the financial and institutional debts the United States and Europe owe. RR recognizes that while legislation is important to realizing reparations and racial equity for Black people in the U.S., the legislative process thus far has proven slow and unreliable. As Black organizers have taught us, we don't have to wait for legislation to start paying down the debts we have accrued through participation in the white-supremacist systems our ancestors built. We can pay those debts now, as we are able, on a grassroots, sustainable basis through direct giving.
For a much more in-depth analysis of reparations in the U.S. context, we highly recommend reading Ta-Nehisi Coates' "The Case for Reparations" (The Atlantic, June 2014).
Reproductive Justice - The human right to control our sexuality, our gender, our work, and our reproduction. That right can only be achieved when all women and girls have the complete economic, social, and political power and resources to make healthy decisions about our bodies, our families, and our communities in all areas of our lives. (Definition courtesy of www.blackrj.org)
Sustainability - In our work, this has multiple meanings. For the Black MaGes we assist, it means getting to a place of healing and agency that allows for consistency and prevents falling into cycles of crisis. For white/adjacent members, it means incorporating consistent participation in paying reparations and/or showing up to do the work needed, as well as an ongoing commitment to unpacking, unlearning and disrupting white-supremacy mindset in ourselves and other white folks.