Title: BIPOC Meaning | What Is BIPOC, and How Did Its Definition Evolve?
Headings: What Does BIPOC Stand For? Why It’s Important to Know What This Acronym Means
What Does BIPOC Stand For? Why It’s Important to Know What This Acronym Means
Have you been seeing this term a lot lately? Here’s what it means and when you should—and shouldn't—use it.
What is BIPOC?
The benefits of using BIPOC
Some people take offense to the term people of color
Language has immense power
When to stay general and when to get specific
Sources:
Black Businesses to Support
Quotes in the Fight Against Racism
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Content: Naturally, as people’s understanding evolves regarding the role that racism plays in society and institutions, so does the language they use to describe these communities. It’s not surprising, then, that the centuries-old term people of color —which, according to The American Heritage style guide, was first cited in the 1796 edition of The Oxford English Dictionary with the British spelling of colour —is often short-handed these days with the acronym POC or completely supplanted by BIPOC. But what is BIPOC’s actual meaning, and when should you use this term? It’s not as straightforward as you might think, and, in fact, its usage can be surprisingly loaded. Once you’re up to speed, you’ll also want to learn more about BLM’s meaning and history. What is BIPOC? According to advocacy organization The BIPOC Project, BIPOC is an acronym for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and the term is meant to “highlight the unique relationship to Whiteness that Indigenous and Black (African Americans) people have.” But BIPOC’s definition is a little more complicated than that, explains Rob Buscher, an adjunct professor in the Asian American Studies Program at the University of Pennsylvania. “ I’ve heard it mean two different things, so it’s important to make a distinction: Are we talking about Black and Indigenous persons of color, or are we talking about Black, Indigenous, and persons of color?