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
discrimination
Discrimination is unfair treatment based on specific characteristic(s) of a person or group of people, such as race, age, or gender identity. It can affect access to employment, health care, housing, education, and more. Exploring the systemic factors that entrench and contribute to discrimination adds vital context to discussion of the issue in media coverage.
diversity
Diversity involves the composition of a group or a community of people. It can refer to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, and disability, among other identities and experiences. Diversity should be used to describe groups or populations rather than individuals, as a person cannot be “diverse.”
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) refers to a framework of organizational values and practices developed to counteract discrimination and bias, broaden participation, and promote equitable treatment and opportunities across professional, institutional, and social contexts. Rooted in the US civil rights movement of the 1960s, DEI became formalized in the 1980s and 1990s through the work of human resources professionals, management consultants, and educators. Over time, the scope of DEI came to include a broad range of communities and values. While skepticism toward DEI has existed for decades across a broad ideological spectrum, the 2020s witnessed the emergence of a concentrated political movement to restrict or dismantle DEI programs, primarily led by conservative policymakers and activists. When reporting on DEI, specific language that reflects the precise goals or values in question can provide necessary clarity, and it is often wise to confirm whether a source or organization actually identifies its work as DEI before applying the term.
enslaved / formerly enslaved people
When writing about the institution of slavery in the US, many advocates offer the term “enslaved person” to separate a person’s identity from their involuntary circumstance. Similarly, many argue that using “enslaver” rather than “owner” or “master” serves to disempower the enslaver and humanize the enslaved person. However, some scholars argue that phrasing such as “enslaved person” amounts to sugarcoating the brutal reality of slavery.
epidemic
An epidemic is characterized by the spread of an infectious disease within a distinct geographic area at a frequency far above normal. The term has also long been used metaphorically to describe social phenomena (e.g., epidemics of loneliness or gun violence). Reporting with care, restraint, and reliable data sources, including experts with relevant credentials, is necessary to provide crucial information and avoid stoking public panic.
ethnicity
Ethnicity is a social construct that refers to common cultural markers such as language, ancestry, beliefs, and customs that may be used to identify groups of people (or that they may use to self-identify). As with any identifier, following a person’s preference whenever possible, including only when pertinent to coverage, and identifying people equally (don’t only identify people of one ethnicity but not others) is important for precision. Compound ethnic identities do not need to be hyphenated (e.g., Indian American, British Nigerian, etc.).
fatphobia
The term “fatphobia” in practice means entrenched cultural prejudices and stigma directed at those who are considered overweight or obese according to a white American aesthetic that some cultural historians describe as originating in reaction to the enslaved female African body. Some fat acceptance activists dislike the veneer of mental health terminology involved in using the “phobia” suffix, arguing that terms like sizeism, anti-fat bias, or anti-fatness are more accurate. If necessary and relevant to coverage to use “fatphobia” or a related term, some explanation of the chosen term can be helpful for clarity. Careful coverage will also consider systemic factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status that can affect both someone’s weight and the degree of stigma they may face for their weight. It’s also important to understand and acknowledge that anti-fat bias, and coverage that furthers those attitudes, can have negative health consequences.
federally recognized Tribe
A federally recognized Tribe is a legal description of a government-to-government relationship with an American Indian or Alaska Native tribal entity. A federally recognized Tribe may also be called a federally recognized Indian Nation, band, pueblo, community, or Native village; understanding the terms that members of these communities use to self-identify is helpful for accuracy and clarity. Explaining a Tribe’s status as recognized or unrecognized, and how that status affects issues facing the community, adds vital context for readers.
genocide
Genocide is defined under international law as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Proving genocide in court is a complex process that often takes years or even decades. Journalists play a crucial role describing what happened, identifying applicable legal definitions, and analyzing how those actions or rhetoric may suggest genocidal intent. Doing so promotes factual accuracy and helps audiences understand the human and legal impact of such actions. When reporting on genocide allegations, identify the credibility of your sources, state whether independent verification exists, and provide context for differing conclusions. Doing so helps prevent misinformation, uphold transparency, and reinforce journalistic integrity in reporting on crimes of this magnitude.
hate crime
A hate crime as defined by the Justice Department is “a crime motivated by bias against [perceived or actual] race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability.” Since the legal standard for a hate crime is narrow and may be difficult to determine, especially in a breaking news situation, adding hedging language such as “possible” or “alleged” may be necessary until further information is available.
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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