Race and ethnicity are critical aspects of people’s and communities’ identities. They have often been viewed as interchangeable but are two distinct identifiers. This section of the Language, Please style guidance aims to help journalists accurately cover the nuances in stories surrounding race and ethnicity, recognize the systemic and interconnected ways that race and ethnicity shape experiences, and write stories with care and concern for the individuals involved.
This resource was informed by questions and discussions from our own newsrooms. It is a living document that will update and expand over time. It is not meant to be comprehensive or the definitive arbiter of language “rules” but instead aims to give context and inform thoughtful decision-making. Have a suggestion for an update, change, or addition? Please get in touch.
How to use: Browse the whole section or search for the term you need guidance on; click into any term for in-depth context, additional resources, and related terms.
Additional resources:
- ACES: AP Stylebook updates race-related terms
- Asian American Journalists Association Guidance on Coverage of Anti-AAPI Violence
- Maynard Institute
- National Association of Black Journalists Style Guide
- National Association of Hispanic Journalists Cultural Competence Handbook
- Native American Journalists Association Reporting Guides
- Native Governance Center Style Guide
- Racial Equity Tools
birthright citizenship
Birthright citizenship grants citizenship to a person at birth, either by being born in that country or, in some cases, being born abroad to citizen parents. Nearly three dozen countries, mostly in the Americas, offer unrestricted birthright citizenship. The 1868 ratification of the 14th Amendment made it a constitutional right in the US. During his second term, President Donald Trump moved to end automatic birthright citizenship with Executive Order 14160, which directed federal agencies not to recognize the citizenship of children born in the US without at least one parent who is a US citizen or has permanent lawful residency. The order was challenged in court and temporarily stopped from going into effect. Journalists can refer to the American Immigration Council and American Immigration Lawyers Association for timely and reliable information to inform their reporting.
Black / black
Black is the racial term used to describe people with roots in the African diaspora; physical markers that may typically be used to distinguish those considered Black from other racial groups include skin tone and hair texture. Though African American and Black are often used interchangeably, the former may be understood as a marker of an ethnic and cultural identity as opposed to a strictly racial one. Following an individual’s preferences when determining if, when, and how to use either identifier, including the capitalization of Black, ensures coverage reflects how a person self-identifies.
Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter is a global political and social inclusive movement that seeks to end white supremacy and violence against Black communities. Though many protests and demonstrations against racism and anti-Blackness may employ the slogan Black Lives Matter, the grassroots movements are distinct from the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation.
brown / Brown
Some stylebooks choose to capitalize this term, though those who argue against capitalizing often point out that “brown” as used in the US is an imprecise term and does not carry the same connotation of a shared social experience and history as the term Black. As with any such identifier, being as specific as possible and following an individual’s preference whenever feasible ensures coverage accurately reflects how someone self-identifies.
caste / casteism
Caste is an artificial hierarchical social system in which things like social status, perception of beauty or intelligence, access to resources, and accepted social or romantic interactions are determined by the social group someone is born into. Casteism refers to the systemic marginalization — segregation, stigmatization, and more — that arises from the hierarchies set in place by the caste system, determined by racist, colorist, and classist criteria. Some civil rights activists have used the term casteism to describe the race-based hierarchy present in the US. Because this use of the term may not be familiar to all audiences, explaining the arguments in favor of its application in this context is useful for clarity.
climate justice, environmental justice
Climate justice refers to the idea that safe environments are a civil rights issue, recognizing that rich, privileged nations and populations have disproportionately contributed to climate change, while people of color and those living in poverty are disproportionately harmed by it. Environmental justice, which can include climate justice, has historically encompassed a broader effort to address the disproportionate impact of exposure to pollution on communities facing systemic discrimination. Defining the terms being used, including statistics on impact disparities, and centering the communities most affected by climate change and environmental threats can add vital clarity and help inform effective moves toward solutions.
colorism
Colorism is a discriminatory practice in which preferential treatment is determined by the lightness of a person’s skin. It differs from racism in that it often exists among members of a particular racial or ethnic group, rather than between different groups.
critical race theory
Critical race theory (CRT) argues that racism is an intrinsic part of US systems and institutions, and that people are either oppressed or have privilege based on their race. The term has been misused by some groups and organizations to describe any teachings about racism or critical examination of US history. An explanation of what critical race theory actually is and how the term may be misused or weaponized in certain cases for political gain is important for clarity.
cultural appropriation, religious appropriation
Cultural appropriation is the taking of signifiers or artifacts of a culture not one’s own without any context of the original culture. It contrasts with cultural appreciation, a good-faith effort to explore and connect with another culture. Religious appropriation refers to the taking of practices or signifiers of a particular religious group by people or entities that are not part of that religious group. Negotiating reporting on cultural appropriation can be challenging since it requires a nuanced understanding of the power dynamics at play between communities in any given scenario. In the case of religious appropriation, increasing your religious literacy can help to navigate reporting on religious communities and the potential issues of appropriation that might arise.
culture war
“Culture war” is a recurring term in political discourse that refers to arguments over a broad range of topics, for instance racial and gender equity, secularism, substance use, and freedom of expression. The term “culture war” is nonspecific and may largely serve to confuse or gloss over issues if it’s used without context. Consider carefully whether the term serves your reporting, and whether divisions over an issue are as profound as some sources may make them out to be. Keep in mind that issues like abortion, immigration, and affirmative action aren’t simply “cultural”; they have direct short-and long-term political and socioeconomic impacts on many people.
Featured term: police brutality/police excessive force
Police brutality is the use of excessive force against people by law enforcement. It disproportionately affects Black and brown people. Mentioning racial disparities in police killings in related stories, and linking to a reliable source such as Mapping Police Violence, can help illustrate the scope of the issue.
Featured term: Black/black
Black is the racial term used to describe people with roots in the African diaspora; physical markers that may typically be used to distinguish those considered Black from other racial groups include skin tone and hair texture. Though African American and Black are often used interchangeably, the former may be understood as a marker of an ethnic and cultural identity as opposed to a strictly racial one. Following an individual’s preferences when determining if, when, and how to use either identifier, including the capitalization of Black, ensures coverage reflects how a person self-identifies.
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