We: The Global Majority
We were today years old when we learned about our new favorite phrase.
How do people who aren’t white describe their collective identity? See common examples in the space of DEBI (Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion).
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) - This term highlights Indigenous groups that are often overlooked
POC (People of Color) - First used by the Black Panthers in an effort to humanize “colored people”
BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) - Used primarily in the EU
In our experience, none of these terms properly align with how this group sees themselves. Introducing…
PEOPLE OF THE GLOBAL MAJORITY
Language is so important and using white centered language to advocate for diversity practices is a great irony.
We came across this term scrolling through LinkedIn which is admittedly one of our favorite past times. After finding the phrase, the research team of Team MelanList kicked in to find the source. To our delight, it was coined by Rosemary Campbell-Stephens with over 40 years in the DEI space who is based in England. A legend in the game. Read her full breakdown of the phrase below.
Two Quick Highlights
Black, Asian, and Indigenous people make up 80% of the global population!
The white wealthy elite are actually the minority as they only make up 1% of the population, yet control 45% of the resources.
Thank you Rosemary Campbell-Stephens for your thoughtful example of the power of language and why it’s so important in self-advocacy.
Have you heard this phrase before? What do you think?
