Name: ____________________

A Working Conceptualization of Historically Excluded (Target) and

Historically Included (Non-Target) Groups

Age, gender, religious or spiritual affiliation, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status are all

identities. Some identities are things people can see easily (like race or assumed gender), while other identities

are internalized and are not always easy to see (like a disability, socioeconomic status or education level). There

are two types of identities that need to be defined in order to spark a discussion on social justice. The first type

deals with identities that are part of a majority status — or “non-target” — while the second includes identities

that are part of the minority status — or “target.”

NON-TARGET

Non-Target:  Members of dominant social groups privileged by birth or acquisition who knowingly or

unknowingly exploit and reap unfair advantage over members of the target groups. 

Target:  Members of social identity groups who are discriminated against, marginalized, disenfranchised

(deprived of power), oppressed (subject to harsh treatment), exploited by an oppressor and oppressor’s system

of institutions without identity apart from the target group, and compartmentalized in defined roles.

Some of the key features of oppression are:

• A non-target group has the power to define and name reality, and determine what is normal, real and
correct.
• Differential and unequal treatment is institutionalized (established in practice) and systematic (fixed
system).
• The target group’s culture, language and history is misrepresented, discounted or eradicated (removed),
and the dominant group culture is imposed.

Modified From: Goldbach, Jeremy. “Diversity Workshop: A Guide to Discussing Identity, Power and Privilege.” 9 Most
Influential Women in the History of Social Work - Blog | USC's Online MSW, 25 Oct. 2017, msw.usc.edu/mswusc-blog/
diversity-workshop-guide-to-discussing-identity-power-and-privilege/.
Name: ____________________

Types of Variable Non-Target Target Groups

Oppression Group
Racism Race, Color, Ethnicity White People of Color

(African, Asian, Native,

Latino/a/x Americans)

Classism Socio-Economic Status Middle, Upper Class Poor, Working Class

Elitism Education Level Place in Formally Educated Informally Educated

Hierarchy Managers, Exempt, Clerical, Non-Exempt,
Faculty Students

Sexism Gender Men Women, Transgender,

Intersex

Cisgenderism
Gender Identity/
Cisgender; Appearance Transgender; Gender
Transphobia
Gender Expression and behaviors are Non-conforming; Gender
congruent with Gender Queer; Androgynous
Binary System

Heterosexism Sexual Orientation Heterosexuals Gay, lesbian, Bisexual,

Pansexual, Asexual,
Queer, Questioning
Religious Oppression Religion Christians/Protestant Muslim, Jewish, Catholic,
Agnostic, Hindu, Atheist,
Buddhist, Spiritual, LDS,
Jehovah’s Witness,
Pagan,…

Anti-Semitism Religion and Culture Non Jewish Jewish

Militarism Military Status World War I & II, Gulf War Vietnam, Iraq,
Veterans Afghanistan, Veterans,
Pacifists

Ageism
Age Young Adults
Elders (40+ by law)

Adultism Adults Children

Ableism Physical, Mental, Currently “Able-Bodied” People with a physical,

Emotional, Learning mental, emotional and/or
Ability learning disability

Xenophobia
Immigrant Status
US Born
Immigrant

Linguistic Oppression Language English English as a Second

Language

Non-English

Visions, Inc.