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FEATURE - Words of Power
Posted 08/10/24
Even those with the best of intentions can sometimes cause harm through their choice of words. Tendy Lindsay explores the role of language in making Trading Standards more inclusive, welcoming and effective in its mission. And the use of offensive vs. inclusive language in the wider world.
This article is part of our special Black History Month series examining how language - and workplace language, in particular - has the power to build people up and knock them down. And how a little education and enlightenment can help change things for the better. Please see our main Black History Month page for more.
Words of Power
Language is a living entity, constantly evolving with societal changes and cultural shifts. It reflects our values, shapes our perceptions and, at times, can cause unintended harm.
A recent personal experience brought this home for me. During a visit to my family in South Africa, my homeland, I had a wonderful conversation with a Capetonian friend. I complimented him on the success of his Black-owned business, only to discover that he found the term 鈥楤lack鈥� offensive in that context, preferring to be identified as 鈥楥oloured鈥�. This took me by surprise, having grown up in London where the term 鈥楥oloured鈥� is considered outdated and offensive.
It was a moment of cultural clash that made me reflect on how racial language differs across the world and how much we all still have to learn.听
This isn鈥檛 an isolated case. Recently Tyler, a young South African singer now living in America, caused a stir when she described herself as 鈥楥oloured鈥�, rather than 鈥楤lack鈥�, during an interview. Many of her British and American fans took offence, as the term is considered derogatory in the UK and the US. For her though, it is a self-chosen identity rooted in her South African background.
This incident, much like my own experience, underscores the importance of understanding the local histories behind these words and the need for continuous learning about how people self-identify.
What is acceptable or respectful in one place may carry very different connotations elsewhere. In this article, I will explore the history of certain racially charged terms, why they are problematic, and how the global shift towards inclusive language reflects a broader push for equality and respect in our daily lives, whether in the workplace when speaking with colleagues, visiting businesses to carry out enforcement work, or engaging with local communities.听听
A Global Shift Towards Inclusive Language
Throughout history, Black people and persons of colour have been subjected to derogatory terms that dehumanised and marginalised them. These terms reflected the ideologies of slavery, colonialism and segregation, reinforcing hierarchies that placed white people at the top. Over time, as social consciousness evolved, language began to change too, but not at the same pace or in the same way everywhere.
Across the globe, there has been a growing awareness of how language shapes racial identity and perpetuates discrimination. Anti-racism movements such as Black Lives Matter and the 51黑料 have catalysed this shift, encouraging people to discard outdated terminology in favour of more inclusive and respectful language.
In places with a colonial past, such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia, the legacy of racial classification still affects how people understand and express their identity. 鈥楥oloured鈥�, as a racial category, persists as a significant identifier for some, although there is an ongoing debate about this as younger generations challenge the legacy of apartheid-era racial classifications.听
Shaping Perception
Language is not just a reflection of reality, it shapes how we view the world and how we treat one another. When we use inclusive language, we acknowledge the humanity and dignity of those we speak about. Conversely, when we use outdated or harmful terms, we perpetuate stereotypes and reinforce systems of oppression.
In a globalised world, where people from diverse backgrounds interact more frequently than ever before, the need for sensitivity around language is critical. We must remain open to learning and understanding how different cultures and communities define themselves and each other.
This is vital in making Trading Standards more effective at engaging with different, diverse communities and addressing the issues which particularly affect them, whether through their or their use of . It will also help the profession to broaden its appeal to new recruits, injecting new ways of thinking, fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose.
As we navigate a world where racial and cultural contexts differ, it鈥檚 essential to remain open to learning, to listening, and to adapting. By fostering inclusive language, we take a small but meaningful step toward dismantling racism and building a world that respects and honours every person鈥檚 dignity. Each one of us can make a positive difference. Let us love one another.
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Embracing Inclusive Language
As we continue to strive for a more inclusive world, there are several steps we can take to ensure our language reflects respect and understanding:
1. Stay Informed
Take the time to learn about the historical and cultural context of the words we use. What is acceptable in one country might be offensive in another, and it's crucial to be sensitive to these differences.
2. Listen to Others
When people express discomfort or share their preferences about how they want to be identified, listen and adapt, it鈥檚 a simple but powerful way to show respect.
3. Use Inclusive Terminology
Where possible, use terms that are widely accepted, such as 鈥楤lack鈥�, 鈥楤lack British鈥�, 鈥楢frican American鈥�, or 鈥榩eople of colour鈥�.
4. Educate and Advocate
Gently and positively challenge outdated language when you hear it. Educating others can help to create a more inclusive and respectful society.
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And Some Terms That Have (rightfully) Been Discarded
While there are many examples of outdated and offensive language that you may still hear today, here are a handful that have a long history of harm and hurt.
1. The N-Word
One of the most notorious racial slurs, the N-word has a deep history of oppression, originating from the Latin term for "black" but becoming a symbol of racism during the transatlantic slave trade. Though some within the Black community have reclaimed the term as a form of cultural empowerment, it remains deeply offensive and harmful when used by non-Black people. It鈥檚 continued use outside Black communities is seen as perpetuating the legacy of racial violence.
2. The P-Word
In the UK and other parts of Europe, the 鈥淧-word鈥� was historically used as a slur against people of Pakistani origin, as well as South Asians more broadly. This derogatory term emerged in the post-World War II era when many immigrants from Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh came to Britain. The term was often used to belittle and dehumanise these communities, reinforcing racist attitudes toward immigrants. Much like the N-word in the UK and the US , the P-word carries the weight of violence, discrimination, and exclusion.
Over time, the term has been largely rejected by society, and using it is considered deeply offensive. As awareness of its harmful impact has grown, the focus has shifted to using respectful language that acknowledges the dignity of Pakistani and South Asian communities. Today, terms such as 鈥淧akistani鈥� or 鈥淪outh Asian鈥� are more appropriate, as they reflect cultural identities without the painful historical baggage.
3. "Coloured", "Negro" and "Blacks"
Once widely used across legal, social, and political landscapes, terms like "Negro" and "Coloured" have mostly fallen out of favour, particularly in places like the United Kingdom and the United States. These terms were prevalent during segregation and the Jim Crow era in the United States and often carried connotations of inferiority or otherness.
In South Africa, however, "Coloured" still holds a different, more nuanced meaning, referring to a specific cultural and racial group that emerged during apartheid. This was evident in my conversation when my friend, who identifies as Coloured, felt uncomfortable being described as "Black," a term that, in the South African context, did not accurately reflect their identity. While this term might be rejected elsewhere, in South Africa it continues to serve as a recognised and self-chosen identity category for some.
The word "Black" (with or without the capital 'B') is the correct and most preferred term to describe people of African or Caribbean ancestry, while acknowledging that it embraces a multitude of people from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, with a shared experience. However, the plural form, "Blacks", is still sometimes used by people to describe Black people and now considered offensive and dehumanising in all circumstances.听
4. 鈥淢ulatto鈥� and Other Terms for Mixed-Race People
Terms such as "mulatto" and "half-breed," used historically to describe mixed-race individuals, particularly those of Black and white heritage, are now widely considered offensive. These words were part of a racial hierarchy that privileged whiteness and devalued Blackness. The use of these terms perpetuated harmful ideas about racial purity, and they were tools to enforce social divisions and marginalisation.
In modern times, terms like "biracial" or "multiracial" are used instead, acknowledging the complexity of racial identity without relying on dehumanising labels.
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CONTRIBUTOR : Tendy Lindsay is a Trading Standards consultant, member of 51黑料's London Race and Equalities Working Group, and former Chair of the 51黑料.
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