Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

tokenism

Noun

/ˈtoʊ.kə.nɪ.zəm/

Definition

Tokenism refers to the practice of making only a perfunctory or symbolic effort to include members of underrepresented groups, often to give the appearance of equality without any real commitment.

Examples

The hiring of a single woman in an all-male board is an example of tokenism.
Tokenism can lead to feelings of isolation among individuals who are included only as symbols of diversity.
Many companies engage in tokenism without addressing the underlying issues that limit true inclusivity.

Meaning

The term is often used in discussions about diversity and inclusion, where organizations might include a few individuals from marginalized groups but do not make genuine efforts to integrate or empower them.