Ethnically and Racially Biased Words and Phrases

[Jacaylbaro]

Words used to describe people of an ethnic or a racial group should be chosen carefully. A sensitive approach involves more than just eliminating obvious slurs, which are, of course, inappropriate in all spoken or written English.

 

It also requires that you consider the perspective of the group described and try as much as possible to represent its members as they want to be represented.

 

The following guidelines are tools to help you avoid inadvertently using terms or labels for ethnic and racial groups that could be considered offensive.

 

 

Do not mention a person’s ethnicity or race unless it is relevant

 

Before citing a person’s race or ethnicity, ask yourself if there is a reason that your readers need to know this information. If there is not, omit the reference.

 

Offensive: The board includes eight CEOs, one black lawyer, and one Jewish entrepreneur.

Better: The board includes eight CEOs, one lawyer, and one entrepreneur.

 

 

Be as specific as possible

 

Avoid using a term that includes a broad range of peoples if you are talking only about a specific group. For instance, do not label a group as Asian if it includes only Laotians or as Hispanic Americans if it is made up entirely of Mexican Americans. Use the more specific name instead.

 

 

Use the name the group itself uses

 

It is always preferable to describe an ethnic or a racial group by the term its members use. If the term is widely unfamiliar and your document is for a large audience, you may choose to note in parentheses the name by which the group is more generally known.

 

The Diné (also known as the Navajo) have the largest population of any Native American tribe.

 

 

Do not use dated terms

 

Some terms that were commonly used in the past to refer to American racial or ethnic groups are now considered at best old-fashioned and at worst offensive. The list below notes the terms that are now most widely accepted as well as ones that should no longer be used.

 

People of African ancestry: African Americans and blacks (with a lowercased b) are generally acceptable, although each has its critics.

 

Afro-Americans is not likely to offend, but it has so fallen out of use that it is inappropriate in most contexts. Negro and colored should be avoided.

 

Native peoples of North America: Native Americans and American Indians are both considered acceptable terms and may be used interchangeably.

 

(Keep in mind, though, that some people are uncomfortable with both of these phrases.)

 

Wherever possible, use the names of specific tribes or groups in place of these general terms. In Canada, the terms natives, Natives, and native peoples are common, but these are too unfamiliar in the United States for use in documents intended for an exclusively American audience.

 

People of Asian ancestry: Asian Americans, although not offensive, is often criticized for being too general. Wherever possible, use instead a more specific term such as Japanese Americans or Vietnamese Americans. Do not use Oriental or Asiatic, both of which are now considered derogatory; use Asian instead.

 

Spanish-speaking peoples of Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America: Hispanic Americans is usually acceptable, but use a more specific term (e.g., Haitian Americans) if appropriate. Some groups prefer the term Latino to Hispanic in referring to people of Latin American ancestry. Chicano is sometimes used as a synonym for Mexican American, but you should use the term only with extreme caution. It is considered an ethnic slur by many people.

 

 

Re-examine accepted expressions

 

Stereotypes lurk in some common and seemingly harmless phrases that refer to specific ethnic and racial groups. For instance, Indian giver, Dutch courage, and welsher are still used without thought to the negative qualities they ascribe to American Indians, the Dutch, and the Welsh. The stereotypes suggested by these phrases may be largely forgotten (does anyone now consider Wales to have more than its share of swindlers?); even so, they are still offensive and, therefore, should not appear in informal or formal writing.

[Nin-Yaaban]

how about if you only use it when talking to your friends and in your native language. like for example: adoonkan fiiri. qaniiskaan fiiri. gaalkaan firi. mexikaankan illigalka ah fiiri. is't still wrong?

[Jacaylbaro]

It is still a biased words behind a closed doors ......

[Baluug]

You guys are all my black friends!!

[NGONGE]

^^ The word black has been outlawed you peasant. Call us presidential.

[Blessed]

Americans wey miyic miidhan yihiin. Intaa wax ay ka xumaadaan / murugoodaan ayay daydayaan. Burco should open a 'Jidh adkaysi' boot camp.