Equity at Events: The Power of Language

Language is powerful and how you use it can shape your fundraising event to either feel inclusive or exclusive.

Using inclusive language not only inspires a feeling of community at events, it helps foster a space of openness and equality. It creates a guest experience that’s inviting, makes people feel seen and sends the message that all are welcome. Additionally, using inclusive word choices fights against the oppressive language that is systemically embedded in the English lexicon and positions you as an advocate to ending the use of offensive language.

Here are some examples of common sayings and terms that stem from our country’s oppressive history:

• Ladies + Gentlemen – Using this phrase to address your audience assumes a gender binary and doesn’t welcome all guests regardless of their gender.
• Rule of Thumb – This sexist phrase stems from a law that a man could beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb.
• Pow Wow – This is a term for Native American ceremonies that has been generically co-opted into a verb in the English language meaning “to gather around.” The term should only be used by people from this community in the correct context.
• Tribe – The term “tribe” is used to refer specifically to Indigenous groups of people, many of whom have been forced off their lands, subjected to genocide and pressured to assimilate. Unless you are referring to a specific Indigenous tribe, you’re appropriating the term.
• Illegal Immigrant – This term is often used to define Latinx people specifically, regardless of the fact that unauthorized immigrants can and do come from all places. Humans are not illegal. It is the means in which immigration occurs that can be deemed legal or illegal.

This short video below shares some other English phrases with oppressive origins.

Another thing to keep in mind is your use of descriptors when writing for your event, whether that’s your printed program, event script or preparing your speakers onstage. Avoid specifics when it comes to gender, race, relationship status and sexual orientation. For example, getting too detailed about who can use certain auction items (“A trip for you and your honey!”) leads to assumptions about your guests’ identities and may make them feel shut out and not welcome to participate if they don’t have a partner.

What you say matters. Being thoughtful with your word choice is a good way to foster community support, to ensure your event is welcoming to all and to continue to dismantle systemic oppression.

Photo by KLiK Concepts