inequalities | Campus Safe Words

TERM: inequalities
RISK LEVEL: high

Definition

“Inequalities” refers to disparities in outcomes, resources, or opportunities between different groups, often categorized by race, gender, income, or geographic region. In higher education, the term appears frequently in research, strategic planning, student success initiatives, and public communications to highlight differences that institutions aim to address.

Why It’s Risky

The term “inequalities” can draw political scrutiny in states where DEI-related initiatives are restricted by law, such as Texas Senate Bill 17 and Florida’s Stop W.O.K.E. Act. Critics argue that language emphasizing inequalities suggests a focus on group-based outcomes rather than individual achievement or personal responsibility. When used in strategic plans, grant proposals, or public messaging, “inequalities” may be interpreted as advocating for social engineering, identity-based remedies, or progressive activism. Conservative lawmakers and trustees often see the term as promoting a worldview centered on victimhood narratives or systemic critiques inconsistent with American principles of equal opportunity. Institutions that use “inequalities” in official documents without careful framing risk allegations of political bias, mission drift, and legal noncompliance under newly enacted education reforms.

Common Critiques

Critics argue that focusing on “inequalities” can mislead by implying that all outcome differences are due to systemic bias rather than a mix of personal, cultural, and economic factors. Some view the term as a rhetorical device that justifies preferential treatment or reallocation of resources based on identity categories rather than merit. Legislators have raised concerns that the term promotes grievance-centered thinking, undermines personal accountability, and perpetuates division by emphasizing group differences over shared civic ideals. In states with active anti-DEI legislation, public references to inequalities have triggered demands for institutional audits, reviews of hiring and admissions practices, and withdrawal of funding. Additionally, critics assert that the term often lacks precision, making it vulnerable to political attack as an ideological tool rather than a neutral descriptor. Institutions using this language in high-profile documents face increasing pressure to demonstrate neutrality and focus on equal opportunity rather than redistributive goals.

Suggested Substitutes

Differences in outcomes across student populations (in research and reporting);
Barriers to student success (in academic support materials);
Challenges affecting access to education (in strategic plans);
Focus on equal opportunity and individual achievement (in mission statements);
Support for academic excellence across all backgrounds (in grant proposals)

These alternatives maintain a student- and mission-centered focus without ideological framing.

When It May Still Be Appropriate

“Inequalities” may be appropriate in academic research, particularly in sociology, economics, or public health, where the term is methodologically defined and critically examined. It may also be used in external grant applications that explicitly require an analysis of disparities. In general institutional communications, avoid normative language and frame discussions around opportunity, achievement, and access.

NOTES: Use “inequalities” with caution in non-research documents; where necessary, define the term clearly and tie it to objective educational outcomes. Emphasize neutral, opportunity-based frameworks to align with legal requirements and maintain broad public support.