Reshaping Our Language: A Guide to Inclusive Language
Often, when people advocate for more inclusive language they reach an obstacle of the argument that folks who advocate for equity and inclusion are overly sensitive, and that language shouldn’t matter. However, the language we use is not an abstract form of performative allyship but rather a tool that both creates, and impacts the realities that many people face. Language is a powerful tool, one that has been used to both incite change and uphold oppression. Language is and always has been political.
Take, for example, how both the State and alt-Right have historically advocated for the oppression and dehumanization of peoples. Historically, how did, for example, Germany or Italy’s facism develop? Hate does not develop overnight, nor is it something humans inherently possess, but rather, something taught to us, with the power of words, by the use of language, art, and, often as a result, propaganda. Why then, do many of us who continue to self identify as activists and allies continue to use the language of the oppressor? To ignore a community when they speak up about harmful language or behaviours, to speak on behalf of folks, to act as though you know better than them, is not allyship.
When working to adapt our language, many of us battle with sensitivity. Often folks whose identities hold a immense amount of privilege feel as though these changes in our dialogues are showing people who hold bigoted views that we are overly sensitive, that people who have face oppression simply need to ‘get over it’ or to ‘take a joke’. To that I would simply ask where our priorities as activists and allies rest. To focus our intent on ‘proving the oppressor wrong’ or simply angering the oppressor rather than to protect the oppressed is performative. To truly uplift a community we need to listen to their voices, we need to understand that systemic racism, for example, doesn’t stop with harm created by law enforcement, but goes to even the very roots of our language.
When reading this article, or referring to sections of it, we must remember that this language is constantly shifting and we should work to adapt with it. I cannot speak on behalf of all minoritized groups, so it’s always important to listen to them, but never force them to educate you, that is not their responsibility.
Decolonizing our language
Before speaking about inclusive language and working to tear down oppressive power dynamics, it's important for us to acknowledge that on Turtle Island, in our Canadian settler state, tools of colonization have been used to oppress communities that don’t fit within the lines of European, specifically British, norms.
Today, I write on the Ancestral Traditional Territories of the Ojibway, the Anishinabe and, the Mississauga’s of the New Credit. Oppressive narratives of sexism, heteronormativity, transphobia, classism, ableism, linguistic discrimination, etc. have, and continue to, harm Indigenous peoples and Indigenous identity. For example, Anishinabek tribes are matriarchal, the Clan mothers held political and social power, and were treated with respect.1 However, colonial rule over the Anishinabek peoples had imposed an unnatural patriarchal structure. Although Western mainstream media pushes an narrow understanding of white queerness today, historically, colonial powers silenced and shamed the existence of a multitude of genders, namely two-spirit peoples, have roots in the “Ojibwa words niizh manitoag (two-spirits)”.2 A key element of Indigenous culture that has been stripped away from its peoples through residential schools, is their native languages. In addition to this, it’s important to ask ourselves: How do we speak about the land we stand on? What terminology do we use to speak about stolen land?
It’s important to shift towards reclaimatory language when speaking about Indiegnous land. As allies, when speaking about disputed land language such as “land reclamations”, “land defenders”, etc. are important in affirming that Indigenous peoples are fighting for land that is rightfully theirs. Additionally, when speaking about people who reside in the Americas, we can instead say “those who reside on Turtle Island”, and when speaking about the Canadian state we can say “the Canadian settler state/government”. Shifting our language in these ways can be a good first step in affirming and protecting Indigenous identity and land.
Using pronouns and gender-inclusive language
In many liberal circles, gender inclusivity is still most often presented in binaries, this is seen in the use of the terms ‘he/she’ or replacing male dominated terms such as ‘mankind’ with ‘womankind’ or the default ‘he’ with ‘she’. However, this not only reinforces the gender binary, and although by using these terms your intent may not be to actively exclude non-binary and trans people, this can make folks feel unsafe or uncomfortable in the conversation. Instead, it’s good practice to default to singular they/them pronouns when you speak about someone who’s pronouns have not been introduced to you, and instead of he/she. The reason using a gender neutral alternative for someone whose pronouns you don’t know is because gender identity does not equal an individual’s gender expression. Someone could physically present as traditionally masculine, but not use he/him pronouns. Many trans and non-binary folks experience gender dysphoria, or even a general feeling of discomfort and being invalidated when they are misgendered. To prevent harm, and to become a better ally to the trans community, it’s good practice to shift away from binary language when referring to those whose pronouns we don’t know. This includes using gendered terms, terms such as “girl”, “man”, “sis”, “guys”, “king”, “queen” etc. are often used as slang when referring to individuals or groups of people, although these are often used as terms of endearment and aren’t used with bad intent, they can often cause harm. It’s best to check in with people which you’re close to regarding which terms they feel comfortable with. Otherwise, some gender neutral alternatives you can use when referring to a group include: “folks”, “friends”, “pals”, “y’all”, etc. And when referring to individuals can include: “homie”, “friend”, “love”, “angel”, etc.
Additionally, it’s good practice for cisgender people to introduce themselves with pronouns in our everyday lives to help trans and non-binary people feel safe to be themselves in the space you’re in. This can be done by incorporating your pronouns in your social media bio, email signature, Zoom name, etc. or become a part of your introductions in person. For example, when asked to introduce yourself in a meeting, you can say “My name is XYZ and I use he/him pronouns”. When asking someone else for their pronouns you can say “I use they/she pronouns, what about you?” or you could even just introduce yourself with your pronouns and wait for the person you’re conversing with to share their pronouns if they feel comfortable to do so. However, if that person doesn’t want to share their pronouns with you, never force them to do so, they may not feel safe outing themselves in that space, and it’s important that we respect that.
When they do share their pronouns, please be sure to use them. If someone has recently changed their pronouns and you’re adapting to using the correct ones, you can always practice using them. Examples of this include saying a variety of sentences about this person using their pronouns (i.e. for someone who uses he/they pronouns you could say: “Zeb cut his hair yesterday. They look so cool.”). If you’d like to virtually practice pronouns, including using neopronouns (pronouns that aren’t he, she, or they) check out this resource. However, if you do accidentally misgender someone, apologize and continue with what you were saying, try your best to not draw attention to it, and to not make them feel as though their pronouns are a burden for you, or that they have to console you.
Avoiding slurs
Slurs are typically terms used to dehumanize, degrade, insight violence onto, and oppress minoritized groups. Although many of us may have grown up without knowing that some words in our vocabulary are slurs, once we’ve gained the knowledge that a term can be harmful, it's important to change our language. Common slurs to avoid are the n-word, f-slur, d-slur, r-word, t-slur, etc. There is no extensive list of slurs, but rather when a community speaks out and states that a word is a slur and has caused harm, it’s important for us to work to erase these words from our vocabulary. Additionally, slurs are often reclaimed by the community it impacts, it’s important for allies to these communities to keep in mind that it is not our place to police how communities that have faced oppression reclaims a slur.
How to use content and trigger warnings effectively
Content warnings (CW) are essentially a warning for heavy or emotionally taxing content, so that people engaging with your content aren’t shocked or taken aback. Trigger warnings (TW) on the other hand provide folks with a heads up for content that may be a trigger for them, this specifically helps folks with trauma, PTSD, or PTSD-like symptoms.
When using content or trigger warnings, be sure to actually include the content or trigger that people should look out for. So instead of using just “TW” on a post, instead use “TW: mentions of sexual assault”. Abbreviations that are commonly used in content and trigger warnings include: “sh” for self harm; “ed” for eating disorders; “sa” sexual assault, etc.
Content and trigger warnings can, and should, be used in any space where you produce content. This can include social media, articles, discussions, at work, in the classroom, even your school papers or academic content (profs and TA’s have triggers too). We don’t use content and trigger warnings because people are ‘overly sensitive’ but rather to make content more digestible and make spaces more accessible for folks with mental illnesses.
Person-first vs Identity-first language
Person-first language aims to prioritize personhood over the identities they may hold. This language is important in centering a person’s humanity and avoids defining them by their experiences.3 Examples of are changing terms such as: “homeless person” to “person who is experiencing homelessness”: “disabled person” to “person with a disability”; “addicts” to “a person with an addiction”; “druggies” or “drug users” to “person who uses substances”.3
In contrast, many communities chose to use identity first language as it can often be empowering and an act of reclamation.3 This can also help de-stigmatize identities and integrate lived experience into their identities.3 Each group uses different terminology, this is why it's so important for allies to listen to folks who hold different identities and what terminology they would like you to use.
Tied in with person-first language, we should work to avoid language using “the XYZ" or “a XYZ” or end in “ed” when talking about folks.3 This includes language such as “a gay, the Blacks, transgendered” etc.3 This language is not only dehumanizing, but also has a history of harm tied to it.
Additionally, we can shift our language about groups which have faced systemic oppression to acknowledge that these groups aren’t inherently marginalized, but rather exist because of oppressive power structures.3 This includes changing terms such as “minorities” to “minoritized”/ “equity-seeking groups”/ “sovereignty seeking groups” etc.3 These terms work to acknowledge the harms and social hierarchies involved in the oppression they’ve faced.3
How to incorporate inclusive language into our lives
The most effective way to include inclusive language in our lives, is to use it. Not use it to prove a point or to be ‘politically correct’, but use it to validate identities that have faced marginalization, and to create a safer space.
However, some more passive ways of including inclusive language in our lives is adding our pronouns in our social media bios, Zoom names, email signatures, etc. You can learn more about the importance of this practice at Why You Should Put Your Pronouns in Your Bio Card.
Additionally, we can include land acknowledgements in our academic work, emails, and presentations. You can learn more about land acknowledgements at Native Land, Whose Land, and Guide to Acknowledging First Peoples & Traditional Territory.
As allies and activists we should work to educate folks using harmful language, rather than expecting a person who identifies as LGBTQIA+, Black, trans, etc. to correct someone on their language. This includes correcting people when they misgender someone (it is important however to ask the person being misgendered if they are comfortable with you correcting others), calling people in when they use slurs that they cannot reclaim, etc. However, it’s important in this practice to not speak on behalf of a community you don’t belong to, but rather to uplift voices of that community. Personally, the way I do this is by finding resources written by a person belonging to the identified group and sending them to the individual we are calling in. Additionally, briefly summarizing the resource along with sending it may be helpful.
Other ways we can do this is by asking people publishing content, including writers, social media content creators, professors etc. to use trigger warnings when sharing heavy and possibly triggering content. Many folks with trauma often don’t feel completely comfortable asking for trigger and content warning; this can out their trauma, so if you see content that you know may be triggering, it's important to try our best to reach out with the content creator and kindly ask for warnings in the future.
Overall, as allies and activists, we should continue to have conversations and listen to folks who have faced oppression so we can continue to learn and grow in our language. It’s likely that there are some things in this article that you haven’t thought of before, or language you may have used that has caused harm, and that’s okay. I’ve learned lots in the process of writing this as well. No one is expected to inherently know how to use inclusive language, but as an act of liberation, we should work to actively unlearn language tied to systems of oppression.
1 "Anishinabek Matriarchy: Father or Mother's Clan?." 25 May. 2015, https://anishinaabek.com/2015/05/25/anishinabek-matriarchy-father-or-mothers-clan/. Accessed 17 Nov. 2020.
2 "Two-Spirit People of the First Nations - Rainbow Resource …." https://rainbowresourcecentre.org/files/16-08-Two-Spirit.pdf. Accessed 17 Nov. 2020.
3 Beckett, Maxwell, and Lauren Burrows. "Inclusive Language for Social Workers and Other Front-Line Workers." Lecture, November 5, 2020.