Neutral:
* Distinguish: To recognize or perceive the difference between things.
* Differentiate: To make or become different.
* Isolate: To separate from others.
* Highlight: To emphasize or draw attention to.
* Single out: To choose one person or thing from a group.
Negative:
* Discriminate: To treat a person or group differently based on their race, religion, gender, etc.
* Marginalize: To treat a person or group as unimportant or insignificant.
* Exclude: To prevent someone or something from being included in a group or activity.
* Segregate: To separate people into different groups, especially based on race or religion.
* Target: To specifically aim at someone or something.
Positive:
* Emphasize: To give special importance or attention to.
* Focus: To concentrate attention on.
* Promote: To help something develop or grow.
* Celebrate: To show that you are happy about something.
The best word to use will depend on the specific situation and the nuance you want to convey. For example, if you're talking about someone being treated unfairly because of their race, "discriminate" would be the most appropriate word. If you're talking about a teacher giving special attention to a student who is struggling, "highlight" might be a better choice.