African American,

Black

“Black” and “African American” are not coextensive. Some people with dark skin do not identify as African. Some may identify as “African,” “Afro Caribbean,” “Afro Latino” or “other.”

“Black People” is preferable to “Blacks” as a plural noun.

Do not use obviously offensive descriptors. In addition, “negro” and “colored” are generally not preferred.

For more, see

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/not-all-black-people-are-african-american-what-is-the-difference/

Ally

A straight or cisgender person who supports members of the LGBTQ community.

American Indian

Umbrella term used for persons from any of multiple First Peoples Nations in what is now the United States.

Where possible, use the name of the particular nation; For example, “Ojibwe” or “Apache.”

APIDA,

API

Acronym for Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American or

Asian Pacific Islander.

A broad term, appropriate when trying to include a large group of people. Otherwise, try to be more specific.

Asian, Asian American

“Asian” refers to those who are citizens of countries in the Far East, Southeast Asian or the Indian subcontinent.

“Asian” may also refer to people of Asian descent generally.

Refer to groups as “Asian People”

Not “Asians,” not “Orientals.”

 Try to be specific—for example, “Japanese” is more respectful than “Asian.”

“Desi” refers to those whose cultural and ethnic identity are related to the Indian subcontinent and the diaspora. Although sometimes used by members of the community, it is considered pejorative or offensive by some. See

https://scroll.in/global/975071/is-the-term-desi-offensive-some-south-asian-americans-think-so

BIPOC

Acronym for Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

Enables a shift away for “Minority.”

Bisexual

An individual who is attracted to men and women.

See generally GLAAD Media Reference Guide

https://www.glaad.org/reference/style

Blocklist

A list of people or items that are excluded or estopped.

Use in lieu of “Blacklist” as either a noun or a verb. See

https://insights.dice.com/2020/

Chicano

Those of Mexican ancestry living in the United States.

Chicanos are Hispanic, but not all Hispanics are Chicanos, much as Germans are European, but not all Europeans are German.

Cisgender

Adjective for a person whose gender assigned at birth corresponds to their gender identity.

Disability: “Person first” language

A general rule for describing a broad range of physical and mental conditions. For example, use “person with paraplegia,” not “a paraplegic.”

“Paraplegic person” is acceptable but not preferred.

Avoid the terms “handicapped,” and “disabled.” Avoid disability-related words such as “moronic,” “crippled,” “retarded,” “crazy,” “spaz,” “nut” etc., as they are considered offensive.

Catch-all phrases such as “the blind” or “the disabled” diminish the individuality, equality or dignity of people with disabilities.

Be specific about the disability if possible. For example, “Person using a wheelchair” not “Disabled Person.”

In this context, avoid using “abnormal,” “afflicted with,” “suffering from,” “confined to,” “stricken with,” “victim of, etc.” as they are considered condescending or otherwise offensive.

Note: some in the neurodivergent community prefer identity first language, such as “autistic person,” because they regard autism as a major signifier of their primary identity.

For more, see:

National Center on Disability and Journalism Style Guide

https://ncdj.org/

Ethics Wall

An information barrier within an organization intended to prevent exchange of information or communication that could lead to conflicts of interest.

The phrase “Chinese Wall” is considered offensive.

“Firewall,” “screen” (as used in the ABA Rules of Professional Conduct) or

“ethics wall” are preferred.

European American, European, or White

Those of European descent living in the United States.

The term “caucasian” originated in scientific racism and should be avoided.

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/

Gay

Men attracted to other men.

May also refer to lesbian women.

“Homosexual” and “MSM” (men who have sex with men) are not preferred terms.

Most typically used to refer to men, but lesbians, bisexuals and pansexuals sometimes use “gay” in more informal settings.

Gender Non-Conforming, Nonbinary,

Enby,

Agender,

Gender Neutral

Indicates a person who identifies outside of the gender binary or does not

 clearly identify as either male or female.

Enby persons generally prefer gender neutral pronouns such as “they,” “ze,” “ve,” or “xi.”

Hispanic, Latin(a/o) & Latinix

“Hispanic” refers to people from Spanish- speaking countries.

“Latino,” “Latina,” or Latinix (the gender- neutral term) refers to people of Latin American descent, regardless of background or language.

People who speak Spanish and are from Central or North America are both Hispanic and Latin/o/a/ix.

People who speak Portuguese and are from Latin America are Latin/o/a/ix but are not Hispanic.

Spanish speakers from outside Central or North America are Hispanic but not Latin/o/a/ix.

Indigenous

A person with long term family origins in a particular place or region.

“Native” is considered a pejorative term.

Intersex

A person born with any of several variations in sex characteristics that are ambiguous or do not fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies.

Atypical variations may be, but are not necessarily, obvious at birth.

“Hermaphrodite” is an obsolete historical term and is considered offensive.

Legacy Clause

A clause creating an exemption based on previously existing circumstances.

Substitution for “Grandfather Clause”, which has its roots in provisions in some state constitutions designed to disenfranchise Black people by waiving requirements for descendants of men eligible to vote before 1867.

See Nancy Riley

https://medium.com/@nriley/words-matter-why-we-should-put-an-end-to-grandfathering-8b19efe08b6a

NPR Alan Greenblaatt

https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch

Lesbian

Women attracted to other women.

“Homosexual” and “WSW” (women who have sex with women) are not preferred terms.

LGBTQ+

Used to represent a diverse range of gender attraction and gender-identities.

Acronym for “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or other (sexual identities.)”

Little Person

Person of short stature.

Dwarfism is a medically diagnosable condition, but using “Dwarf” to describe a person is usually considered offensive. “Midget” is considered pejorative.

Native American

Indigenous people from the United States.

Some individuals prefer “American Indian.”

“Indian” should be used only to refer to people and things from India.

“Native” without additional descriptor is considered pejorative.

Person of Color

Umbrella term for people who are not White.

Use in lieu of “minority.”

Do not use the term “colored people.”

May be waning in popularity. See

https://youtube/vDvWdn2sc8k

Queer

Umbrella term to describe those who do not identify as straight or cisgender.

Formerly considered offensive. More recently reclaimed, but as

“Queer” not “A Queer.”

Roma,

Romani

People with South Asian ancestry who traditionally have an itinerant way of life.

“Gypsy” is considered pejorative.

In modern times, Roma live worldwide, but live principally in Europe.

Transgender,

Trans

A person who has transitioned or is transitioning from living as one gender to another.

A person transitioning is identified, and typically uses, the pronouns of the gender destination. For example, a man transitioning into a woman is a “transgender woman.”

Underserved/Underrepresented, URM

Refers to groups of people from diverse backgrounds.

URM is an acronym for Under-Represented Minority.

Do not use the term “minority.”

Use more specific terms whenever possible.

Undocumented Person

Refers to a person residing in the United State who is not a US Citizen, permanent resident, does not hold a current visa to reside in the US or has not applied for official residency.

Do not use the terms “Illegal,” “Illegal Immigrant” or “Illegal Alien.”

See “illegal” v “Undocumented”

https://www.nwirp.org/illegal-vs-undocumented-a-nwirp-board-members-perspective/