Hey peeps,
If you haven't heard the podcast Code Switch on NPR, I highly recommend it. The latest episode touched on the uses of acronyms such as P.O.C. or B.I.P.O.C. and offered different opinions on what may be labels some of us are offended by and or take pride in being a part of.
I wanted to get your opinions on this as well. As the episode states:
What do we mean when we say "people of color"? Why do some of us identify with that term? Why does it annoy so many other people? Is it time to say RIP to POC? And, if so, is BIPOC the new kid on the block, or is that term also one we should be careful about using?
What are your thoughts?
I think BIPOC was elevated due to the need to highlight the importance of identify for black and indigenous peoples and their voices in the movement. I personally like that BIPOC feels more inclusive and intentional. I'll have to listen to the Code Switch podcast on the topic but I also think there's an element of intersectionality that the acronym BIPOC attempts to address. Thanks for bringing this topic to the discussion.
First, I think if anyone intends to use acronyms and labels, they need to research and understand what they mean and use them appropriately. I also think it depends where you live in the world. I tend to favor BIPOC more because it IS more inclusive and here in the U.S., Black and Indigenous people are continually erased and neglected from American society. We live in a white-centric society so I think these acronyms and labels serve as an additional reminder that WE ARE HERE and WE MATTER. I also believe these acronyms help to build and strengthen non-white communities. I personally don't have an issue with either, but I do think the media and everyday people can get lazy when using these terms. My suggestion is be specific! If you are talking about Black issues, say Black- same goes for Indigenous-Americans, Latinx, Asian-American, etc. Each race has a history and a voice and we don't want to overshadow that. Thanks for the podcast recommendation and for bringing this topic forward!
You bring up a great point of being specific. Overuse and generalization by using "BIPOC" can be more harmful than helpful. Each group has a unique lived experience and it's important to honor that.
Yes! This was actually touched upon in that episode. People (primarily whites) using BIPOC as a way to appear "woke" but without any teeth. That's the pitfall, right?
YES! Exactly!
I completely agree with the "being specific" part you mentioned. This has made me think about how the use of these acronyms can promote laziness for those who don't want to do the work to get to know the person you are referring to or the group you are referring to. Take the time to ask how a person identifies and then proceed with that. Do the work to know which group you are referring to and name them specifically. If you're talking about mass incarcerations, do you mean to reference only Black, Latinx, and Indigenous people who are disproportionally affected, or do you actually mean to reference all non-whites? It really does make a difference, right?
YES - you said that way better than I did! I think POC actually has more of an issue of being overused that BIPOC. At least BIPOC has, like you stated above, a more intentional meaning.
it feels like, at the end of the day, that POC seems more the outdated term and that BIPOC is what should be replacing it (for now), right?
Yeah I would agree with that - at least here in the U.S. or when discussing current issues and movements happening in the U.S. I believe in the UK there are other acronyms (please correct me if I'm wrong) that are used to more appropriately reflect their history and the "minorities" that make up their region. Overall, I think people are looking for more inclusivity in and specific representation when using acronyms like POC.
Thanks for this great conversation starter. I have always distrusted and disliked the term POC due to the fact that it glosses over the pervasiveness of anti-Blackness that exists in other POC /immigrant communities. Since this counties inception anti-Blackness has been used and THE stepping stone of assimilation for other groups.