In January 2023 members of the GM Equality Alliance (GM=EqAl) Inclusive Language sub group along with other invited guests gathered to discuss how language is used by and about different groups and individuals to describe their ethnic or racial identity.
GM=EqAl’s language guidance on this topic makes clear the importance of referring to the specific ethnicity/race/identity of the person or group in question, whenever possible. It goes on to recommend using ‘People Experiencing Racial Inequalities’ or ‘Communities Experiencing Racial Inequalities’ for those times when a broad, collective term is needed.
The starting point for the half hour conversation is the fact that the guidance adds: 'occasionally other formulations are needed', but does not list what these alternatives might be. Over the course of two in-depth discussions, and a survey of members' preferences, the subgroup came to the conclusion that there is too much diversity of opinion, and too many different contextual factors, to be able to draw further red lines or promote particular terms.
Although the group set out to discuss terminology, the theme that participants keep returning to is that, while getting the language right is important (and achieved by asking people how they want to be described), what matters most to communities is that there is a genuine respect and desire to understand them in their complexity, and to include them in any conversation on their own terms.
