More Mixed-Related Terms That You've Been Waiting For!
Hi friends! We've got another installment of the "Mixed Lingo" series for your reading pleasure. To go along with the "Growing Up Mixed" blog's post on the intersection of mixed-related issues and other social justice areas (get up to date at Social Justice for Mixed Folks!), I selected more social justice-y terms this time.
Let the fun begin!
Folks - A nice way to say "people." "Folks" applies to all possible identities, not just racial and/or ethnic ones. :)
"People" isn't inherently an offensive word, but there is a slight difference betweem a phrase like "_________ people..." and "_________ folks..." where "___________" is a particular identity. If you're in a situation where you want to make sure that you come off as polite and accepting, try using "folks."
Mutt - A slang and derogatory term for a blended, mixed person.
I've heard mixed-identified refer to themselves or others using "mutt," but I suggest avoiding it. There are better words to express your identity/ies or others' that also show your pride (see "pride" in Mixed Lingo - part 2)!
Target Group, Non-Target Group - A "target group" is a community or identity that's underprivileged and underrepresented. A "non-target group" is the opposite. Target and non-target include all identities, not just racial and/or ethnic ones.
To use sex as an example, men are a non-target group (privileged, well represented). Those who are not men (women, intersexed, etc.) are considered target groups (women are still paid significantly less than men, awareness and understanding of intersexed individuals is very limited, the list goes on).
Underrepresented - In social justice terms, "underrepresented" folks are those whose perspectives and needs are not sufficiently voiced, and not necessarily because they chose silence. Is the mixed-race, mixed-ethnicity community underrepresented? On a nation-wide scale, yup. :(
Examples of underrepresented communities are racial and ethnic minority communities, the queer community and women. Even within an underrepresented community, certain folks are more underrepresented than others. For example, the asexual community within the queer community.
Hopefully, you've learned something new or brushed up on some really interesting mixed-related, social justice terms.
Are there any words or phrases that you'd like to see in our "Mixed Lingo" series? Have you ever had an experience where word choice played a major role in determining the outcome of a situation?
Feel free to leave a comment, question or suggestion in the box below. As always, "Growing Up Mixed" is a safe space.
Don't stress!
<3 Elise "The Mixed Blogging Chick"
Underrepresented - In social justice terms, "underrepresented" folks are those whose perspectives and needs are not sufficiently voiced, and not necessarily because they chose silence. Is the mixed-race, mixed-ethnicity community underrepresented? On a nation-wide scale, yup. :(
Examples of underrepresented communities are racial and ethnic minority communities, the queer community and women. Even within an underrepresented community, certain folks are more underrepresented than others. For example, the asexual community within the queer community.
Hopefully, you've learned something new or brushed up on some really interesting mixed-related, social justice terms.
Are there any words or phrases that you'd like to see in our "Mixed Lingo" series? Have you ever had an experience where word choice played a major role in determining the outcome of a situation?
Feel free to leave a comment, question or suggestion in the box below. As always, "Growing Up Mixed" is a safe space.
Don't stress!
<3 Elise "The Mixed Blogging Chick"
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