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Why I Don’t Use “People of Color” / “BIPOC”
Amalgamation is erasure.
I don’t use the term “people of color” nor “BIPOC;” and you shouldn’t either.
I don’t use “BIPOC” nor “people of color” because once it’s uttered, it erases the truth about extent of harms and history of a people/place.
These amalgamations of unrelated peoples compromise the accuracy of the ways people contributed to America. Amalgamated terms interfere with the preciseness of whom we are talking about. “BIPOC/POC” language distorts the accuracy of to whom equity/redress and unique citizenship protections are due.
For example, the Mexicans who chose to become American citizens after the Mexican-American war are NOT the same as Mexicans who travel to America today. Nor are they the same as U.S. chattel slaves. Nor are Afghans the same as American Negroes.
Amalgamation (POCism) is erasure and confusion.
Stop 🛑 causing confusion.
Fix your language.
Call groups EXACTLY what they are in relation to their country of origin, immigration status, race & ethnicity.
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Pamela Denise Long is a 7th generation American, award winning business consultant for implementing trauma-informed diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism, a contributor at Newsweek and political commentator featured on FOXNews, HillTV, Real Clear Politics, The Grio Politics, and more. Connect with Denise @PDeniseLong on Twitter.
