BIPOC Storytelling Support: The Evolving Lexicon of Identity and Justice
Committed to both social change and the skillful use of the English language? Confused about the ever changing vocabulary of identity and justice?
You’re not alone.
It’s recently been more clear than ever that our language is in a constant state of evolution, especially when it comes to terms related to identity and social justice. At times, the rapid rate of this change can make it challenging to choose the most appropriate and current words to describe individuals with specific backgrounds or identities. For example, debates continue around terms like Latine and Latinx for describing people of Latin American descent. Similarly, navigating related concepts such as racism, colorism, and anti-Blackness can be complex, as these terms have nuanced differences and applications.
What follows is a curated collection of terms and their explanations, representing my personal Lexicon of Identity and Justice Language. It's important to note that this compilation reflects my own understanding and perspective in a field where opinions and preferred terminology are diverse and ever-evolving.
My definitions and explanations are offered with the following caveats:
This lexicon is not exhaustive or definitive.
Terminology in this area is subject to rapid change and ongoing debate.
Individual preferences may vary, even within the communities these terms describe.
My ultimate goal in creating this lexicon is to:
Practice inclusive and clear communication
Provide a starting point for understanding key concepts in identity and social justice
Remain open to learning and adapting as language continues to evolve
I encourage you to approach this as a living document that can serve as a foundation for further exploration and discussion.
1. What terms do I use for someone who is not “white” (and maybe even looks “white”)?
I love the term Global Majority because it’s not explicitly related to ideas about race and encompasses people from various ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. I also feel that it celebrates the practice of integrating ancestry into professional and creative identities rather than creating a contrast with (and still centering) whiteness.
I often use the terms BIPOC and Women of Color (WOC) because they’re widely recognized and appear most frequently in online searches, however, these terms are complicated by questions of what constitutes color and how to account for lighter-skinned members of the Global Majority (raises hand).
2. What do I call people who get stressed filling out demographic surveys (like me)?
Mixed, Mixed Race and Multiracial indicate that at least one of your biological parents is of a Globally Majority, BIPOC, or an otherwise racialized identity. While Latinx/Latine people are considered BIPOC, and sometimes considered a race, the majority are a mix of Indigenous, Spanish, Black, and other European backgrounds. The absurdity of racial classification (and the ambiguity of Jewish identity) is a root cause of many personal struggles with identity, belonging, and surveys — but, in my case, it’s also led me to work I love.
3. What terms do I use when speaking about entire communities?
Historically Underrepresented , Historically Marginalized and Historically Excluded (accurate but a mouthful) apply not only to specific races and ethnicities but also to people of certain castes, classes, socio-economic status, and physical and mental dis/abilities who have been deprived of equal representation and access to social benefit. This term is a good catchall when referring to a community rather than to an individual.
4. How do I distinguish racism, colorism, and anti-blackness?
Racism is a blanket term for the system of oppression which preferences light skin over dark.
Colorism refers to an internalized system of oppression by which a community (e.g. Latinx, AAAIP, Black) shows a preference for members with lighter skin and discriminates against those with darker skin. This accords white privilege to People of Color whose skin is light enough to pass for white and is also absurd. Colorism contributes to the overrepresentation of light skinned Blacks and Latinx in so-called “diversity” efforts.
Anti-Blackness is discrimination against and hatred for people perceived as Black. This is particularly pernicious in movements and organizations which support People of Color but nevertheless end up practicing colorism and preferencing non-Black People of Color over those who are Black.
5. What is my definition of antiracism?
Antiracism is the practice of actively identifying and opposing racism. The goal of anti-racism is to actively change policies, behaviors, and beliefs that perpetuate racist ideas and actions. Seeing as we’re born into a society that is de facto racist, each of us has our own work to do in dismantling the status quo so that it is no longer racist.
6. What about social justice and abolition?
For many years, I described myself as committed to social justice and, in my roles as editor and coach, emphasized my dedication to supporting writers focused on social justice issues. However, I increasingly felt that the term had become too vague and didn't fully capture the essence of my beliefs and aspirations. More importantly, I realized that it didn't adequately express my fundamental belief in the power of healing as a catalyst for true justice.
Over time, I've come to understand that my deepest conviction is that genuine, lasting justice can only be achieved through processes of individual and collective healing which address trauma, foster understanding, and promote reconciliation at every level of society from family to government.
In seeking to dismantle and abolish structures which subjugate Black lives, the modern Abolition movement also seeks to implement reparative systems which can heal rather than perpetrate harm on communities. But while my beliefs and desires are aligned with the movement, I also find the word “abolition” to be inadequate. Not because it is too vague but because it is so strong. Suggestive of other words such as “annihilation,” “cancellation,” and “destruction,” abolitionism is easily feared and misconstrued. In addition, because the word literally means eradication, the Abolitionist movement downplays the power and beauty of what it hopes to create.
7. And finally, what is liberation?
In his article, “The Future of Social Justice Education: A Liberation Perspective,” Victor Lee Lewis paraphrases Erica Sherover-Marcuse when he defines liberation as “the undoing of the effects and the elimination of the causes of every kind of social oppression so that the human family may become a viable and regenerative presence in the earth/life community.”
When I first heard activists and healers using the terms liberation and liberatory practices, I knew I’d found a word for my sense of purpose that I’d been seeking all along. Liberation resonates so deeply with me because it encompasses a holistic vision of healing and transformation that extends beyond individuals to encompass all of humanity and our relationship with the planet.
Liberation is a call to action founded in love, one which inspires hope and which invites us all to participate in the ongoing work of creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. And through liberatory practices, each person is taking action wherever they are and whatever they do: whether they are activists, teachers, artists, healers, parents, writers like you or editors like me.
What have your experiences with identity language been? I'd love to hear about:
Your own struggles with language in this area
The terms you prefer to use and why
This feedback will help create a more comprehensive and useful resource for everyone grappling with these important linguistic choices.