The future is in your hands
Additional Resources
- Adrien Rawsthorne
There are some words we just don't need to say
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is a saying both unhelpful and untrue. Words wield real power: they can exclude, belittle, oppress and deeply harm people and communities. And we have the opportunity to change that; to use language that includes, invites, and recognises the individual experiences of people and communities often been on the receiving end of exclusionary or aggressive language.
Here's where the understanding of nuance and evolution comes in: many words widely used as slurs in the past have been reclaimed by people and communities that those words were used against. Just because we hear people in and of those communities use them, doesn't mean that they are everybody's words to use (especially on behalf of a brand).
We should avoid the use of slurs and derogatory terms in all cases; even when some of them are deeply embedded in our socio-cultural lexicon, even when not used in a manner that intends to cause harm.
This principle has the longest, most comprehensive examples. Please see the references for the sources we used to compile this list as well as other information in this guide.
Content warning: slurs and derogatory terms. We have chosen to censor some of these terms as they are harmful and seeing them in full can be triggering.
Terms relating to First Nations People
Avoid
+ Mob (in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities). This is a word used in these communities and should generally not be used by non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
+ Tribe/s (in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, but also in general: i.e. do not ask our members to "Find their tribe.")
+ Terms like powwow, spirit name and spirit animal. These are words of First Nations peoples around the world that have been absorbed into popular lexicon but may disrespect their original importance or meaning.
Ableist terms to get rid of from your vocabulary
TW: Ableism
The terms below all have an ableist history in which they were used to target or mock people with disabilities. While some are already considered taboo, others are still common in today’s language.
Avoid
Bonkers
Brainless
Crazy
Cretin
Cr*p / Cripple
Daft
Derp(y)
Dim(-witted)
Dumb
Idiot(ic)
Insane
Invalid
Imbecile/imbecilic
Feeble-minded
Gimpy
Lame
Loony/lunatic
Maniac
Moron(ic)
Mong
Nong
Nuts
Simple-minded
Simpleton
Stupid
Slow-witted
Psycho(tic)
Psychopath(ic)
R*tarded
Sp*stic / Sp*z
Whacko
Phrases such as "turn a blind eye", "turn a deaf ear".
Other Sources & Resources
First Nations Language
Preferences in terminology when referring to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
What is the correct term for Aboriginal people?
Stop using these Indigenous references and terms they're offensive
Anti-Ableist Language
PWDA - What do I say? A guide to language about disability
Divesting Myself of Ableist Language
“Stupid” is an Ableist Slur: Breaking Down Defenses Around Ableist Language & Liberating Our Words
15 Crazy Examples Of Insanely Ableist Language
Anti-Sexist Language
The importance of gender-neutral language in the workplace
The hidden sexism in workplace language
Six common manifestations of everyday sexism at work
Anti-Transphobic Language
TRANS AND GENDER DIVERSE INCLUSION
Anti-Racist Language
Developing a Vocabulary to Talk about Race in the white Home: One Family's Experience
Glossary - Anti-Racism Toolkit - Guides at Georgetown University
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1253929.pdf
https://www.antiracismkit.com.au/
Anti-Ageist Language
https://www.leadingage.org/sites/default/files/Anti-Ageism%20Quick%20Guide_FINAL.pdf
Age doesn’t define you - Global Campaign to Combat Ageism - #AWorld4AllAges
https://pct.libguides.com/anti-oppression/anti-ageism
Ageism is a global challenge: UN
https://agefriendly.community/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Anti-Ageism-Guide-Language.pdf
Websites that may be handy:
Visit 🖱 The Koori History Website
Social Media accounts to follow
https://www.instagram.com/colourtheconversation/
https://instagram.com/gamilaraaynextgeneration?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/dhadjowa_foundation?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/place_names_in_addresses?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/dreamtime_aroha?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/blackrainbowaus?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/comingoutblak?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/laniyuk?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/meissamason?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/yarn.bark?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/tarneeen?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/incarceratedtgdfund?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/_naycab?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/ngurrambaa?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/ashlee.donohue?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/senatorthorpe?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/firstnations_feminist?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/muka_nita?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/clothingthegaps?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/seedmob?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/decolonisesexworkau?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/gudhigudhi_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/tallulahsrash?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
https://instagram.com/koorieyouthcouncil?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
No FTRE without U