So last week as I sat in a meeting, I had the most interesting exchange with a fellow woman of color. When discussing terminology for an event that we were planning, the topic of "student of color" vs. "minority" came to the table. This woman (who I have nothing against)kept using the term "minorities" when describing a certain population that we were hoping to target. After the third time she used it, I couldn't help myself but counter her language by using the term "students/people/women of color." After a couple of times, she caught on.
When she asked why I didn't use minority, I simply said that I personally disliked the words minority and minorities because of their clear relationship with political disenfranchisement, negative connotations, government oppression, etc, etc... Rather the terms student/person/women "of color" is a more positive term that highlights collectiveness, community, and political/personal agency. She sat there stunned. After a couple moments of silence, she replied "Wow". I have never thought about that... and I can see your point. I'm going to start referring to student/person/women of color from now on." Yah for small victories.
But the story doesn't stop there... Literally as a the meeting continued, this same woman asked me what the term Chicana meant. She stated "I've taken Spanish so I know a word ending in an "a" is female... so is Chicana just a female version of chica with an extra "na" at the end of it?" WRONG.
Please don't assume the meanings of words. Words have power, weight, history, privilege, and force. The word Chicana may just mean chica with an extra "na" at the end of it, but for me Chicana means identity, political awareness, family, community, struggle, and independence. I understand that we throw around these terms very freely in the academy and not everyone is on the same page. Yet, assuming meanings can hurt and offend just as much as being a racist.
Just like the difference between "of color" and minority, we need to help each other self educate and educate each other. And also, "colored students" is not the same thing as student of color! We are all in this struggle together and are each others comrades.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
also, in some states, population wise, certain groups arent considered, "minorities" anymore, like in California with the large Latino Population or how Asians aren't considered marginalized because people think they are, "model minorities." despite the growing populations tho, people of color still dont have the institutionalized power...
ReplyDeletenot that our end goal is necessarily to obtain institutionalized power-- because to invert is not the same as subverting. but the discourse around "minority" populations masks the whiteness embedded in the power structure in the U.S. As if once "minorities" are no longer considered "minorities," that white heteronormative power will no longer be an issue. --XXunbound
ReplyDelete