Guide to Inclusive Language: Race andEthnicity | 2
I. About this Guide
This guide is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The
D.C. Office of Human Rights (OHR) and the D.C. Office of Racial Equity (ORE) created this guide
to provide examples and explanations, which are not intended to encompass all possible
terms, definitions, or variations.
This guide will focus on the language our culture uses regarding race and ethnicity. Included
below are some helpful definitions:
• Race is often defined as a social classification or association based on a person’s
ancestry, ethnicity, and perceived inherited physical characteristics (hair, skin color,
etc.) (ex. White, Black, Asian, etc.).
• National origin is the state, country, or nation from which a person or their ancestors
were born. (ex. A person born in Venezuela is Venezuelan).
• Ethnicity is a social construct that defines a set of people by their shared common
cultures and traditions, including by not limited to race, nationality, or religion. (ex.
Jewish, Japanese, Creole).
II. Understanding Racial Equity with ORE
Racial equity is both a process and an outcome.
• As a process: we apply a racial equity lens when those most impacted by structural
racial inequity are meaningfully involved in the creation and implementation of the
institutional policies and practices that impact their lives.
• As an outcome: we achieve racial equity when one’s race will no longer predict
opportunities, outcomes, or the distribution of resources for residents of the District,
particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color residents.
III. Understanding Inclusive Language
Language is a powerful tool, both positive and negative, that allows us to communicate and
understand the world around us. Because language is powerful, words can excite, inspire,
oppress, divide, and much more. Choosing our words carefully matters because language can
influence how we think, see the world, live our lives, and interact with others.
When it comes to interacting with others, it is important to remember that certain words might
be considered prejudiced, offensive, and/or hurtful. This type of language is called biased
language, which includes words or phrases that demean or marginalize people based on their
gender, race, age, sexual orientation, class, disability, or any other aspect of their identity. Biased
language may contain hidden messages based on outdated social norms and/or historical
oppression, resulting in reinforced unconscious biases and stereotypes and furthered prejudice
Guide to Inclusive Language: Race andEthnicity | 3
and discrimination. Racially-, or ethnically-, biased language targets a person’s race or ethnicity
and can include derogatory language, racial slurs, or jokes. While a word may not be personally
offensive to you, it may be to others because of its racist or ethnic connotations.
Examples of racially or ethnically biased language can be found in Table 1 and Table 3a.
Inclusive language promotes diversity, inclusion, equity, and equality. Diversity includes all
the ways in which people differ, encompassing the variety of skills, abilities, experiences,
and cultural backgrounds. Inclusion goes one step further by creating an environment where
individuals or groups can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. Equality
is giving individual or groups the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that
individuals or groups have different circumstances, starting points, and opportunities, and
therefore, provides necessary resources to reach an equal outcome. Unlike biased language,
inclusive language acknowledges diversity; conveys respect to all people; is sensitive to
differences; promotes equal opportunities; and is free from stereotypes, subtle discrimination,
and negative messages. The benefits of inclusive language include allowing people to be their
authentic selves; promoting effective communication; fostering a common understanding; and
getting us closer to inclusion and equity.
Table 1: Examples of Racially or Ethnically Biased Language*
Word or Phrase Why It Is Considered Problematic
Brown bag
Historically was a form of racial discrimination that involved comparing a
Black person’s skin color to a brown paper bag. The test was used to accept
or deny entry into certain clubs and organizations.
Grandfathered
Originated from a statute enacted by seven Southern states between 1895
and 1910 to deny suffrage to Black Americans.
Gypped
A derivative of Gypsy that was once used to stereotype Romani people as
thieves. Romani people were discriminated against because of their darker
skin and were enslaved in parts of Europe.
English native
May exclude a person who speaks English as a second language and implies
that to be fluent, you must be a native of that country.
Minority
Has become a catch all phrase for those who are non-white. Unnecessarily
defines people as lacking some quality that would place them in the
majority. Will become inaccurate as national demographics change; currently,
“minorities” constitute the global majority.
“No can do”
Originally emerged in the 19th century to mock Chinese immigrants’ speech
patterns in English.
Spirit animal
Is considered cultural appropriative and disrespectful when used outside of
the Indigenous community
Underserved
Refers to populations that face institutional barriers and systems that
prevent them from receiving the adequate services or care; has become
synonymous with poor.
*The meaning and use of some of these words have evolved overtime and are no longer used in the same context. However, it is
important to know and understand the origin and history of the words you are using.
Guide to Inclusive Language: Race andEthnicity | 4
IV. Best Practices and General Guidelines for Using Inclusive Language for Race
and Ethnicity
Using inclusive language is important, particularly to people who have historically been
excluded and marginalized. It is not the same thing as political correctness. Whereas
political correctness focuses on not offending, inclusive language focuses on flexibility and
connectedness while also honoring people’s identities. General guidelines for using inclusive
language for race and ethnicity are included below. Examples of inclusive language to use
more broadly around groups of people can be found in Table 2.
• Focus on the person, not their characteristics (person first language)
• Do not hyphenate nation origins (ex: African American not African-American); use of
the hyphen was used in the late 19th to early 20th centuries to ridicule those who
were not born in America
• Do not use adjectives as nouns (ex: Asian people not Asians or the Asians)
• Be sensitive to self-identification
• When in doubt, ASK
• Use universal phrases instead of idioms, industry jargon, and acronyms
• Ask yourself if race/ethnicity descriptor is necessary
• Be specific; do not hide behind vague words or generalizations
• Focus on strengths rather than deficits (ex: amplify voices rather than give voices)
• Be thoughtful about the imagery you use (ex: lazy, dirty, primitive, etc.)
Table 2: Examples of Inclusive Language for Groups
Terms to know Explanation
BIPOC
Acronym for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Recognizes that non-
white people have different experiences and deal with different types of
injustice. Opponents argue it establishes an “us” vs “them” binary
Marginalized
The institutional and system-based process where people are intentionally removed,
denied, and isolated from economic, sociopolitical, and cultural participation.
Ex: Black trans women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities
Underrepresented
Describes a subset of a population that holds a smaller percentage within a
significant subgroup.
Ex: BIPOC women in STEM
Guide to Inclusive Language: Race andEthnicity | 5
Table 3: Guidelines for Inclusive Language around Racial Groups in the United States
Table 3a provides explanations for each of the five racial categories defined by the United
States Census Bureau (American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Asian American, Black
or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and White). Table 3a also
provides examples of outdated or offensive biased language, along with guidelines for
using related inclusive language. It may be noted that while some of the outdated and/
or offensive terms and phrases are listed here, their use and acceptance may depend on
the context in which they are used, the relationship and race, and/or ethnicity of both the
speaker and the recipient. This is not a comprehensive list.
Table 3a: Guidelines for the Five Racial Categories
Explanation Outdated Terms
and Phrases
Offensive Terms
and Phrases
Guidelines
American Indian or Alaska Native
• Use a range of words to describe
themselves and prefer various
descriptors be used by others
• Native American and American
Indian are terms created by
white Americans
• Squaw
• Red
• Redskins
• Eskimos
• Tribe (ex: “bride
tribe”)
• Is a matter of personal preference
(Native American vs. American Indian
vs Indigenous; Canadian Indigenous
people go by First Nations/People)
• Respectful, general terms are
Indigenous or First Nations/People
• Indian by itself is generally not
acceptable because it typically refers to
people from India
• When possible, preference is the use
of a specific tribal name i.e., Pamunkey,
Piscataway, Powhatan or for Alaska
Natives, Inuit, Yupik, etc.
Asian or Asian American
• Asian is used when referring to
people of Asian ancestry from
Asia (Korea, Vietnam, Thailand,
India, Pakistan)
• Asian American is used when
referring to Americans of Asian
descent
• Oriental (It may
be considered
offensive
because it has
been linked to
old stereotypes
an era of Asian
exclusion by the
U.S. government)
• Japs
• Nip
• Chinks
• Chinaman
• Slant eyes
• Yellow
• Paki (Pakistan)
• Flip (Filipinos)
• Towelhead
(Middle
Easterners)
• Depending on who you are referring to,
use Asian or Asian American to refer to the
population in its entirety
• Otherwise, use more specific terms when
referring to individuals or groups i.e.,
Japanese American, Chinese American, etc.
• People from Central Asia or West Asia may
not identify as Asian (ex. Pakistan)
Guide to Inclusive Language: Race andEthnicity | 6
Race Explanation Outdated Terms
and Phrases
Offensive Terms
and Phrases
Guidelines
Black or African American
• African American refers to
both descendants of enslaved
persons in the US and African
immigrants and their children
• Black is a term that may
be used a sense of pride
and empowerment; often
used because of the unique
Black experience in America,
regardless of national origin
• African American and Black
are typically not considered
offensive, however they are not
always interchangeable
• Afro-American
• Colored
• Mulatto
• Negro
• Coon
• Crow
• Mammy
• Sambo
• Spook
• The other “N”
word
• “Peanut gallery”
• “Cake walk”
• “Sold down the
river”
• “Cotton picking
tired”
• “Blacklist”
• “Boy”
• Africa is a continent made up of 54
countries; Africans can be of any race
• Africans may not identify with Black or
African American.
• The B in Black is always capitalized
• The use of Black or African American is
a matter of personal preference
• Other alternatives may be American
Descendants of Slavery (ADOS) or
Descendants of American Slaves (DAS)
• Individuals may also identify as Afro-
Caribbean, Afro-Latino/a, etc.
• There are also offensive terms and
phrases that may be associated with
and/or used against African immigrants
by Black Americans and vice versa
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
• Separated from people of Asian
ancestry by the U.S. Census
Bureau in 2000
• Recognized that Pacific Islanders
have experienced and continue
to experience unique struggles
related to sovereignty and
decolonization
• Boonga
• Kanaka
• May include
offensive
Asian terms
referenced
above
• Use Pacific Islander when referring to
the population in its entirety
• Otherwise, use the preferred term of
the individual or group
White
• White or European American are
acceptable
• Cracker
• Honky
• Redneck
• Hillbilly
• Trash
• Hick
• American is not interchangeable with
white
• Use of Caucasian is generally
discouraged
• Where possible and appropriate, be
specific about regional (Southern
European, Scandinavian, etc.) or
national (English, Irish, Italian, Polish
etc.) origin
• The “w” in white is typically not
capitalized
• There are also derogatory terms
used for ethnicities/national origin
(ex. Paddy or Mick for Irish; Gypped
(Gypsies)
Guide to Inclusive Language: Race andEthnicity | 7
Table 3b Guidelines for Using Hispanic and Latino/a
IV: Resources
For more information about inclusive language and/or race and ethnicity:
Read
• 2019. Guidant Global. A Guide to Diversity and Inclusion Terminology
• 2020. Associated Press. Explaining AP style on Black and white
• 2020. HR Magazine. How to cultivate inclusive language in the workplace
• 2021. Columbia University. What is Critical Race Theory?
Watch
• 2015. Chescaleigh YouTube Channel. Sometimes You’re a Caterpillar (3 minutes)
• 2015. MTV Impact. 6 Phrases with Surprisingly Racist Origins (5 minutes)
• 2019. TEDx Talks. Eliminating Microaggressions: The Next Level of Inclusion (9 minutes)
Listen
• The Diverse Minds Podcast, Ep. 37 “Why bother with inclusive language?” (13 minutes)
Explanation Outdated Terms
and Phrases
Offensive Terms
and Phrases
Guidelines
Hispanic and Latino/a
• Not considered a racial category
under the U.S. Census Bureau
• Considered ethnicities because
individuals can be of any racial
group
• Hispanic refers to Spanish
speaking people, including
people from Spain and
excluding people from Brazil.
• Latino/a (male and female
respectively) refers to
individuals from Latin Americans
countries regardless of whether
they speak Spanish.
• Spic
• Greaser
• Wetback
• Beaner
• Words related
to “typical”
Latino names
or patronizing
words (ex. Jose,
Jefe)
• Hispanic is rarely used outside the US;
many people identify with their country
of origin or ethnicity (ex: Colombian,
Mexican, El Salvadorean, etc.)
• Chicano/a is the chosen identity of
Mexican Americans in the U.S.
• When referring to a group, use LatinX
as it is gender inclusive; note that this
may not be a term that is widely used
or accepted by the community as there
is not full consensus about its use
• Latine is another emerging gender-
neutral descriptor
