noun the practice of making only a perfunctory or symbolic effort to do a particular thing, especially by recruiting a small number of people from underrepresented groups in order to give the appearance of diversity or equality
In sociology, tokenism refers to the practice of making only a perfunctory or symbolic effort to do a particular thing, especially by recruiting a small number of people from underrepresented groups in order to give the appearance of diversity without tru
In the workplace, tokenism can manifest as the hiring or promotion of individuals from underrepresented groups solely for the purpose of meeting diversity quotas, without providing them with the support or opportunities for advancement that their counterp
Within activist circles, tokenism is often criticized as a form of performative allyship, where individuals or organizations claim to support a cause by token gestures or actions without truly committing to meaningful change or addressing systemic issues.
In the context of diversity and inclusion, tokenism is seen as a superficial or insincere effort to include members of marginalized groups in order to appear inclusive, rather than making meaningful changes to create a more equitable environment.
In the publishing industry, tokenism may occur when a writer from a marginalized group is included in a collection or publication primarily to give the appearance of diversity without truly valuing their perspective or work.
In the field of psychology, tokenism may manifest when a psychologist from a minority background is hired by an organization primarily to meet diversity quotas rather than for their expertise and contributions to the field.