As researchers, instructors, and community members it is important for us to use language around identities responsibly. Please consider the following questions and resources as a guide for intentional language for referring to larger populations.
Start with questions of purpose
- Who are you talking about?
- Why are you talking about them?
- Who are you talking to?
- What are you trying to say?
- Is it even necessary to use identity signifiers?
Follow-up with questions of power
- What is the history behind this word?
- In what context is this word often used?
- Why do you want to use this word?
- What might this word perpetuate?
- What other words might fit and why aren’t you using them?
As you consider some of the above questions and the infographic below, you can use this worksheet to help assess and explore your language usage for your projects and communities.
This document contains some compiled resources that will be helpful in examining your language choices and intentions.
