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- The Conscious Language Newsletter: April 2022
The Conscious Language Newsletter: April 2022
Featured Article
By Christine Ma, Conscious Style Guide
“While most copyeditors are making sure that words are correct and free of harm, those of us who work with illustrations need to make sure the art is as well.” We’re excited to welcome Conscious Style Guide adviser Christine Ma as a contributing writer!
From the World of Conscious Language
Note: The authors’ viewpoints are not necessarily shared by Conscious Style Guide.
9 Ableist Tropes in Fiction I Could Do Without | Book Riot
“We need more nuanced portrayals of disabled people in all genres.”
“Each Encanto character has very different features, which makes them look less like generic clones and more like real people.”
From “Tribes” to “Powwows”: Summer Camps Finally Reckon With Abuse of Indigenous Traditions | The Guardian
“Across the continent, the camping community is at last slowly grappling with Native American cultural appropriation.”
“Couples who find the preexisting norms of wedding language lacking when it comes to their lived experience deserve to celebrate in ways that accurately and inclusively encompass their love.” Industry experts offer suggestions on inclusive language and actions to help ensure fitting and meaningful wedding ceremonies for all.
“It may be impossible to make guided meditations and courses specific to every type of lived experience. Still, people with disabilities say they’d welcome content that caters to their needs.”
To Reduce Stigma, New York Moves to Change “Emotional Disturbance” Label to “Emotional Disability” | Chalkbeat New York
“The term emotional disturbance ‘implies that a student is extremely disruptive and demonizes’ them, [Lori Podvesker] said…Using the word ‘disability’ makes it clear that these students are a protected class.”
“Studies in bibliometrics have revealed persistent biases in citation patterns—women and people of colour, for instance, garner citations at lower rates than men do.”
Pronouncing Students’ Names Correctly Is Important. Here’s How. | Race on Campus
“On Zoom, users can change the way their name is displayed and include a phonetic spelling, making it simpler for everyone to get names right.”
A Toolkit for Newsrooms to Better Serve the Disability Community | Reynolds Journalism Institute
“This toolkit was produced as a starting point for journalists or news organizations looking to improve coverage of disability and the accessibility of news products.”
Justice Department Issues Web Accessibility Guidance Under the Americans With Disabilities Act | The U. S. Department of Justice
“The guidance offers plain language and user-friendly explanations to ensure that it can be followed by people without a legal or technical background.”
CSG in the News
Make Inclusive Language a Key Part of Your DEI Efforts | American Society of Association Executives
“Because language is constantly evolving, meanings and connotations of words may change quickly. Therefore, it is better to apply inclusive language principles rather than focusing on specific words or phrases.”
“With thorough user research and testing, we can step outside of our own cognitive and unconscious biases to create the website we need to create: one that serves the needs of our users.”
From the Archives
Moving Beyond “Default” Language in Pop-Culture Criticism | Conscious Style Guide
On the practice of assuming that straightness and Whiteness are culturally neutral.
In Case You Missed It
Find diverse stock photo databases (free and fee) in the updated Design + Images section on Conscious Style Guide.
The Conscious Language Newsletter: March 2022 | Conscious Style Guide
Responsibly covering Ukraine, migration, and victims of war.
Treat Yourself to a “Make Peace With Words” T-Shirt!
This super soft T-shirt is hand-printed to order in your choice of shirt and ink colors as well as style (fitted or straight-cut). Every purchase supports two woman- and POC-owned businesses. Why make peace with words? Read the article by founder Karen Yin.
Read Diverse Picture Books
On DiversePictureBooks.com (our Bookshop.org storefront), find exceptional picture books that spread understanding, compassion, and joy through diverse representation. We earn a commission on all orders.
Check Out Our Editors of Color Database
CSG’s Editors of Color Database helps recruiters connect with editors, proofreaders, and sensitivity readers of color in the U.S. and Canada. On the website, you can submit job listings for distribution to our private network of pros and explore the 100+ resources in the Database of Diverse Databases, which highlights underrepresented groups. Diversify your sources now!
Follow Us on Instagram
Follow @consciousstyleguide on Instagram for examples of how context can support sensitive content, with a focus on children’s books, including young adult.
The Conscious Style Guide newsletter rounds up the best news and blog posts from the world of kind, compassionate, mindful, empowering, respectful, and inclusive language. Note: Spotlighting an opinion is not intended as an endorsement. Please send news tips to [email protected].
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