Class and Social Standing

A food desert is an area with limited access to fresh food, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables. Food deserts are commonly found in and associated with lower-income, often predominantly Black and brown communities, particularly in areas where transportation options and car ownership are limited. It contrasts with the term “food oasis,” which refers to an abundance of supermarkets and a variety of types of grocery stores. It’s important context to mention systemic factors that contribute to the existence of food deserts and food oases, and how lack of access to affordable, healthy food is related to health issues such as increased instances of obesity and heart disease.

“Generation” describes a cohort of people born within a specific time range. Birth year is not the only determining factor for generations; in familial contexts these titles usually play no role. Sometimes overgeneralizing about a generation can result in ageist stereotypes — for instance, portraying baby boomers as less tech-savvy than younger people.

Historically, ghetto referred to a section of a city entirely or nearly entirely occupied by a racial or ethnic minority. In contemporary use, it often has negative connotations and associations with high rates of poverty and crime. While the term could be used with historical resonance or if an interview subject is quoted using it, in general, it’s clearer to use terminology such as section, district, neighborhood, or low-income housing developments as applicable, or, more simply, describe the specific demographics of a particular part of a city.

The gig economy involves using freelance or temporary workers to perform jobs normally associated with the service sector such as food delivery, ride-hail driving, freelance tasks including manual labor (e.g., movers), pet and house sitting, and shopping. More euphemistic terms like “side hustle” are generally best reserved for direct quotes, as this may present such activities in overly cheery terms that obscure the labor behind them.

Haves and have-nots are vague terms for income status, often used in conjunction with one another. Opting for more specific language about an individual’s or group’s socioeconomic status, such as including income levels, can bring greater clarity.

Homelessness and houselessness are terms for the state of individuals currently lacking a regular nighttime residence. Person-first language such as “people without housing,” “people without homes,” or “person experiencing homelessness (or houselessness)” may read as less stigmatizing than a phrase like “the homeless,” as it reinforces that houselessness is one aspect of someone’s identity that doesn’t define them. “Houseless” or “unhoused” also decouples the concept from the more positive connotation of “home,” and encompasses more than “homeless,” as this could also refer to, for example, living in one’s vehicle.

Terms used to refer to the stability of an individual or family’s housing and living situation. No single index or definition of these terms exist, so it can be helpful to explain local concerns, such as noting if a region is more impacted by houselessness than another, along with the systemic factors that may be involved.

An incarcerated person is someone confined to a prison, mental hospital, or similar institution. In general, person-first language, or phrasing such as “X individual, who was convicted of a felony,” puts the focus on the individual rather than one aspect of their circumstances, especially contrasted with terms such as ex-con, felon, convict, and criminal, which risk defining someone solely by their experience with the criminal legal system. In headlines or in shorthand, the term “prisoner” may be more straightforward and humanizing than a term like “felon” or “convict,” since not all individuals housed in jails and prisons are convicted of crimes, and such terms often imply a sense of guilt to the general public. The terms jail and prison are not interchangeable: Generally, jail is for those who have just been arrested or are awaiting trial or sentencing, though some serving shorter sentences will do so in jail. Prison is generally for those serving longer sentences.

Income refers to payment for one’s work/labor. Wealth refers to the net worth of an individual or household. Wealth is often conflated with spending habits, which can lead to inaccurate depictions. Focusing on wealth in detail also helps dispel many of the myths associated with being “rich” in the US since much of it is generational (e.g., passing down houses from generation to generation). Referring to individuals or families as “low wealth” is a more straightforward alternative to terms like “poor” or “struggling,” which may seem to editorialize and may not match a person’s actual experiences.

Inner city is a coded term for a densely populated and generally less wealthy section of a city. Clearer, more precise language would be a description like “neighborhood where X percent of the population is below the federal poverty line” or simply referring to the neighborhood(s) affected.