What is it about?
The updated American Psychological Association Inclusive Language Guide recommends authors use "White" and "European (American)" interchangeably. We argue that doing so conflates race and ethnicity in harmful ways and negates the existence of millions of Europeans of color, bolstering colorblind "postracial" norms.
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Why is it important?
Labels that limit being European to those racialized as white perpetuate othering and uphold a hierarchy where being white is the only acceptable embodiment of being European. With racism on the rise in Europe, it is important for researchers to recognize the power of the language we use.
Perspectives
Often researchers check guidelines to make sure they use the "correct" terminology in their studies. The guidelines in this case may do more harm than good. As researchers, we should critically reflect on our choices and question the power of the demographic labels we use to describe the people we study.
Ursula Moffitt
University of New Mexico
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: White ≠ European (American): Commentary on the American Psychological Association’s updated Inclusive Language Guide., American Psychologist, October 2024, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/amp0001353.
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