Inclusive Terms - EGAL Resources

Using the Tool

Important context

This mini glossary is an illustration of our inclusive language framework in action.
It is not an exhaustive list of terms that might be harmful. It also does not include slurs. Rather, this is a subset of terms crowdsourced from stakeholders during our framework development, and demonstrates examples of applying the framework. Before using this resource, we highly encourage you to explore the framework. We hope the framework and these examples help you as you come across terms that might be harmful.

We encourage you to approach this tool with a mindset of: Being open to learning and unlearning; Recognizing that context matters and language changes; and Being willing to change behaviors and strive to do better.

Remember

This is not an exhaustive list; inclusive language is not about memorizing a fixed list of “good” and “bad” words. Instead, we recommend leveraging this tool as a reference point and learning opportunity. Language changes and evolves, so we urge you to continue to ask yourself how you can communicate in ways that are compassionate and effective, and reference our inclusive language framework to continue on your journey of being an Equity Fluent Leader.

Before using this resource, we highly encourage you to explore the framework. We hope the framework and these examples help you as you come across terms that might be harmful.

This mini glossary* is an illustration of our inclusive language framework in action. It is not an exhaustive list of terms that might be harmful. It also does not include slurs. Rather, this is a subset of terms crowdsourced from stakeholders during our framework development, and demonstrates examples of applying the framework.

Principles

This tool outlines terms that may be harmful, explores why and in which contexts they may be harmful, and highlights more inclusive alternatives and usage recommendations. We use our inclusive language framework to consider the impact of each term in various contexts, assess when the terms may be harmful, and explore more inclusive alternatives, and each term is accompanied by links to resources supporting our reasoning and recommendations. The terms are organized alphabetically, and you can look up specific terms using the search bar.

How are these alternative terms selected?

More inclusive alternative terms are selected on the basis of four guiding principles, which outline that inclusive language:

Conveys respect to all people
Communicates a message effectively through precise language
Acknowledges diversity
Involves continual improvement

Supporters

This work was supported by Google. EGAL also formed and collaborated with a working group of academic and community leaders with representation across various identities and expertise. While the work has broad applicability, this resource includes terms crowdsourced from an audience in the US with people in the US as the target audience.

Glossary

Can be harmful

Use with caution and understand context

A - C

Black and white

More inclusive alternatives

clear-cut
straightforward
unambiguous

Related Terms

clear-cut
straightforward
unambiguous

Why this term might be harmful

Use of these terms to mean "bad or good" or "clear-cut" relies on a metaphor where black is associated with bad and white with good. Colors do not have any inherent connection with good or bad; the meanings they are assigned are cultural. By associating black with bad and white with good, we (often unintentionally) perpetuate the narrative that blackness is something bad and evil; this can have negative impacts on Black people and on others' perceptions of Black people. Whether or not this term originated from racist beliefs, it can have negative impacts now; for this reason, it is harmful and we recommend using an alternate term. When used literally to describe the colors black and white, this term is precise and okay to use.

Contexts in which this term has been used

Context 1

Meaning straightforward or unambiguous. For example, "It's a black and white / clear-cut choice."

Context 2

Describing colors. For example, "black and white photography."

Usage Recommendations

Context 1

Use a more precise term, like clear-cut.

Context 2

When referring to colors, black and white is precise and is recommended for use.

Learn more