Is BIPOC the new term to use? What happened to just POC?

[Anonymous]

My understanding (I'm not black, so I may have it wrong) is that BIPOC are those people who have their family ancestry through the American slave history. African Americans include both BIPOC and people who have later immigration from African descent. Black Americans include African Americans and those with ancestry from non-African origin, such as those from the Caribbean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when it was preferred to refer to folks as black. Then it was changed to african-american. Than, apparently, we went to black again. I guess BIPOC is the latest iteration.

I'm happy to call people whatever they prefer, but if wish folks would settle on one term.

The way that we think and talk about race has always and will continue to evolve. Black people endured hundreds of years being defined by white people. Please allow us our nuance now.

What is the nuance though? Can’t you understand why it is confusing when there are different definitions all over?

It's confusing, to whom?

Um, OP, me and all of the others asking?

Right. So what you're saying is, "Your term for yourself confuses me." But people's self-definition isn't about you. It's not for your benefit. You're not the target audience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The problem is that if you don't use someone's preferred term you are, at best, insensitive, and at worst, a racist (or some other xxx-ist). For example, see all the recent discussions about the language used to describe the various permutations of gay.

Do your best, listen to people, and don't be so darn defensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when it was preferred to refer to folks as black. Then it was changed to african-american. Than, apparently, we went to black again. I guess BIPOC is the latest iteration.

I'm happy to call people whatever they prefer, but if wish folks would settle on one term.

The way that we think and talk about race has always and will continue to evolve. Black people endured hundreds of years being defined by white people. Please allow us our nuance now.

What is the nuance though? Can’t you understand why it is confusing when there are different definitions all over?

Sure, I can understand why you'd find it confusing. Like a PP said, we don't all get in a room together and vote. Use what makes sense to you, and as your understanding evolves your language may as well. But just because you don't understand it, that doesn't mean kanguage shouldn't change or evolve as people try to be more accurate and inclusive. That isn't going to stop.

The problem is that if you don't use someone's preferred term you are, at best, insensitive, and at worst, a racist (or some other xxx-ist). For example, see all the recent discussions about the language used to describe the various permutations of gay.

You shouldn’t worry about that. If you’re trying to be an ally no one is going to get mad at you for accidentally saying a wrong term. The people who get mad seem to be the white guilt people.

I’m lesbian and I also get pretty confused by the ever evolving list of new words for our community. Personally I cringe at the word queer and hate people using it about me. But I’d never get mad because no ones a mind reader and I don’t expect the average straight person to know about the history and subtleties of using gay and lesbian versus LGBT versus queer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m confused too. Does this mean black, indigenous people of color, or black, indigenous, AND people of color? As an Asian-American, I assume I’m included in the second but not in the first. I’ve googled and the first two results seem to indicate different things.

This is a definition I found on thebipocproject.org:

“ The BIPOC Project aims to build authentic and lasting solidarity among Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), in order to undo Native invisibility, anti-Blackness, dismantle white supremacy and advance racial justice.

“We use the term BIPOC to highlight the unique relationship to whiteness that Indigenous and Black (African Americans) people have, which shapes the experiences of and relationship to white supremacy for all people of color within a U.S. context. We unapologetically focus on and center relationships among BIPOC folks.”

So I think... Asians are included but the term “centers” black & indigenous.

I agree, I think the use of "and" does include all poc, but the "centers" mean the immediate focus right now is black Americans , I would also assume "centers" with "black & indigenous" should also include native americans, but not 1st/2nd generation African immigrants? I'm black American and I'm not sure of the last part

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when it was preferred to refer to folks as black. Then it was changed to african-american. Than, apparently, we went to black again. I guess BIPOC is the latest iteration.

I'm happy to call people whatever they prefer, but if wish folks would settle on one term.

The way that we think and talk about race has always and will continue to evolve. Black people endured hundreds of years being defined by white people. Please allow us our nuance now.

What is the nuance though? Can’t you understand why it is confusing when there are different definitions all over?

Sure, I can understand why you'd find it confusing. Like a PP said, we don't all get in a room together and vote. Use what makes sense to you, and as your understanding evolves your language may as well. But just because you don't understand it, that doesn't mean kanguage shouldn't change or evolve as people try to be more accurate and inclusive. That isn't going to stop.

Personally, I’ve never thought or said it shouldn’t evolve. But I have seen BIPOC used in what I believe to be a few different contexts and so was just curious (not OP but a PP). I can see now that based on the link above I was perhaps misreading and it does include Native Americans and other people of color.

Are you the PP who said this:

but if wish folks would settle on one term.

Because that is what I was responding to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when it was preferred to refer to folks as black. Then it was changed to african-american. Than, apparently, we went to black again. I guess BIPOC is the latest iteration.

I'm happy to call people whatever they prefer, but if wish folks would settle on one term.

Only whites are privileged enough to have one term for themselves.

LOL. I am from West Virginia. I've been called white trash, hillbilly, cracker, peckerwood, trailer trash, inbred (x1000), and all sorts of other unflattering things.

I do my best to call people of any race, gender, etc. whatever they prefer to be called. If you want BIPOC, BIPOC it is. I do find the indigenous part confusing because only Native Americans are indigenous here. the rest of us are immigrants, forced or unforced.

My family started out as "indentured servants" here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when it was preferred to refer to folks as black. Then it was changed to african-american. Than, apparently, we went to black again. I guess BIPOC is the latest iteration.

I'm happy to call people whatever they prefer, but if wish folks would settle on one term.

The way that we think and talk about race has always and will continue to evolve. Black people endured hundreds of years being defined by white people. Please allow us our nuance now.

What is the nuance though? Can’t you understand why it is confusing when there are different definitions all over?

It's confusing, to whom?

Um, OP, me and all of the others asking?

Right. So what you're saying is, "Your term for yourself confuses me." But people's self-definition isn't about you. It's not for your benefit. You're not the target audience.

Um, the treatment of black or BIPOC or POC people certain does require white people and others to listen and understand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when it was preferred to refer to folks as black. Then it was changed to african-american. Than, apparently, we went to black again. I guess BIPOC is the latest iteration.

I'm happy to call people whatever they prefer, but if wish folks would settle on one term.

Only whites are privileged enough to have one term for themselves.

LOL. I am from West Virginia. I've been called white trash, hillbilly, cracker, peckerwood, trailer trash, inbred (x1000), and all sorts of other unflattering things.

I do my best to call people of any race, gender, etc. whatever they prefer to be called. If you want BIPOC, BIPOC it is. I do find the indigenous part confusing because only Native Americans are indigenous here. the rest of us are immigrants, forced or unforced.

My family started out as "indentured servants" here.

At what point are people no longer immigrants? How many generations or years have to pass?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when it was preferred to refer to folks as black. Then it was changed to african-american. Than, apparently, we went to black again. I guess BIPOC is the latest iteration.

I'm happy to call people whatever they prefer, but if wish folks would settle on one term.

Only whites are privileged enough to have one term for themselves.

LOL. I am from West Virginia. I've been called white trash, hillbilly, cracker, peckerwood, trailer trash, inbred (x1000), and all sorts of other unflattering things.

I do my best to call people of any race, gender, etc. whatever they prefer to be called. If you want BIPOC, BIPOC it is. I do find the indigenous part confusing because only Native Americans are indigenous here. the rest of us are immigrants, forced or unforced.

My family started out as "indentured servants" here.

At what point are people no longer immigrants? How many generations or years have to pass?

The sad reality is that if you are black or white looking, you can pass as being from here. If your visibly Asian or Latino (Latinx??), you’re not from here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m confused too. Does this mean black, indigenous people of color, or black, indigenous, AND people of color? As an Asian-American, I assume I’m included in the second but not in the first. I’ve googled and the first two results seem to indicate different things.

According to the website https://www.thebipocproject.org/ it’s the latter - black, indigenous, AND people of color. So it doesn’t cut out anyone, and is more inclusive than just “people of color”, although I’m still learning so I don’t understand all the things yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when it was preferred to refer to folks as black. Then it was changed to african-american. Than, apparently, we went to black again. I guess BIPOC is the latest iteration.

I'm happy to call people whatever they prefer, but if wish folks would settle on one term.

The way that we think and talk about race has always and will continue to evolve. Black people endured hundreds of years being defined by white people. Please allow us our nuance now.

What is the nuance though? Can’t you understand why it is confusing when there are different definitions all over?

It's confusing, to whom?

Um, OP, me and all of the others asking?

Right. So what you're saying is, "Your term for yourself confuses me." But people's self-definition isn't about you. It's not for your benefit. You're not the target audience.

You're missing the point. The term doesn't confuse any of us. Call yourselves a made up word for all I care. But I use the previously in vogue word because I haven't caught up with the change in language, don't treat me like a rabid racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when it was preferred to refer to folks as black. Then it was changed to african-american. Than, apparently, we went to black again. I guess BIPOC is the latest iteration.

I'm happy to call people whatever they prefer, but if wish folks would settle on one term.

The way that we think and talk about race has always and will continue to evolve. Black people endured hundreds of years being defined by white people. Please allow us our nuance now.

What is the nuance though? Can’t you understand why it is confusing when there are different definitions all over?

Sure, I can understand why you'd find it confusing. Like a PP said, we don't all get in a room together and vote. Use what makes sense to you, and as your understanding evolves your language may as well. But just because you don't understand it, that doesn't mean kanguage shouldn't change or evolve as people try to be more accurate and inclusive. That isn't going to stop.

Personally, I’ve never thought or said it shouldn’t evolve. But I have seen BIPOC used in what I believe to be a few different contexts and so was just curious (not OP but a PP). I can see now that based on the link above I was perhaps misreading and it does include Native Americans and other people of color.

Are you the PP who said this:

but if wish folks would settle on one term.

Because that is what I was responding to.

No, I am not the PP who said that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when it was preferred to refer to folks as black. Then it was changed to african-american. Than, apparently, we went to black again. I guess BIPOC is the latest iteration.

I'm happy to call people whatever they prefer, but if wish folks would settle on one term.

The way that we think and talk about race has always and will continue to evolve. Black people endured hundreds of years being defined by white people. Please allow us our nuance now.

What is the nuance though? Can’t you understand why it is confusing when there are different definitions all over?

It's confusing, to whom?

Um, OP, me and all of the others asking?

Right. So what you're saying is, "Your term for yourself confuses me." But people's self-definition isn't about you. It's not for your benefit. You're not the target audience.

That’s fair, but at the same time I am continually told that I *am* the target audience for this stuff as a white person and that it *requires* our understanding. Anyway, I will just chalk it up to this term being fairly new and not worry about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember when it was preferred to refer to folks as black. Then it was changed to african-american. Than, apparently, we went to black again. I guess BIPOC is the latest iteration.

I'm happy to call people whatever they prefer, but if wish folks would settle on one term.

The way that we think and talk about race has always and will continue to evolve. Black people endured hundreds of years being defined by white people. Please allow us our nuance now.

What is the nuance though? Can’t you understand why it is confusing when there are different definitions all over?

Sure, I can understand why you'd find it confusing. Like a PP said, we don't all get in a room together and vote. Use what makes sense to you, and as your understanding evolves your language may as well. But just because you don't understand it, that doesn't mean kanguage shouldn't change or evolve as people try to be more accurate and inclusive. That isn't going to stop.

The problem is that if you don't use someone's preferred term you are, at best, insensitive, and at worst, a racist (or some other xxx-ist). For example, see all the recent discussions about the language used to describe the various permutations of gay.

You shouldn’t worry about that. If you’re trying to be an ally no one is going to get mad at you for accidentally saying a wrong term. The people who get mad seem to be the white guilt people.

I’m lesbian and I also get pretty confused by the ever evolving list of new words for our community. Personally I cringe at the word queer and hate people using it about me. But I’d never get mad because no ones a mind reader and I don’t expect the average straight person to know about the history and subtleties of using gay and lesbian versus LGBT versus queer.

I really appreciate this comment PP. And please understand that all of us are evolving (hopefully) into being more sensitive. I've had gay friends for over 30 years and yet I would still use the "f" word as an adjective. This, "that looks fruity." Was it wrong then? Yes. Did I realize it at the time? No. Was I trying to demean anyone? No. I don't use that word any longer in any context.

I also don't use the word queer. I remember when that was used derogatorily. I'm not fan of any oppressed group taking over epithets. I'd rather see them confined to the dustbin of history.