AUGUST 2024

From the World of Conscious Language

Note: The authors' viewpoints are not necessarily shared by CSG.

DESIGN + IMAGES

The Hidden Racism of Book Cover Design

“There persists in the industry the sticky question of how explicitly a writer’s identity should be signalled on the cover—and the ensuing struggle, for many authors, of how hard to push back if and when things veer into stereotype.” Read >

GENDER, SEX + SEXUALITY

Advocates Say Words Matter When Labelling Recent Death a Femicide

Heidi Illingworth, executive director of Ottawa Victim Services, “said the use of the label is so significant because it opens the door to finding solutions to femicide instead of ignoring it.” Read >

ABILITY + DISABILITY

When Does Concern About Presidential Fitness Become Media Ableism?

“In terms of covering political campaigns, some common pitfalls to avoid include…diagnosing candidates without evidence; using illness or disability as a metaphor; conflating age with ability; conflating physical and cognitive health; using stigmatizing language to describe incapacities; and highlighting issues with ability or health without explaining why they are concerning.” Read >

JOURNALISM

Readers Trust Journalists Less When They Debunk Rather Than Confirm Claims

“Being disagreeable, like when pointing out someone else’s lie or error, carries with it a risk of backlash.” Read >

ANIMALS

The Word “Vegan” Is Still More Reviled Than “Plant-Based” but…Why?

“Being reminded that a food doesn’t include an ingredient you like isn’t going to make you want to buy it more, and might make you want it even less. If, on the other hand, you’re reminded of the delicious qualities of the ingredients the dish does include, it becomes much more appealing.” Read >

ETHNICITY, RACE + NATIONALITY

How Being Intentional With Your Language Can Shift Your Thinking

“The issue with ‘stakeholder’ isn’t just that the term might ‘offend people’…it’s that the use of this language brings along with it a particular way of thinking about all the people who are interested in or affected by a particular outcome.” Read >

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TEACHING CHILDREN

10 Things Adults Should Never Say to Kids, According to Psychologists

Instead of saying, “Make sure to hug [insert name here] goodbye,” adults can suggest to their child that they can offer a hug, handshake, or fist bump. Read >

ETHNICITY, RACE + NATIONALITY

In a First, Botanists Vote to Remove Offensive Plant Names From Hundreds of Species

“The one-letter change would mean removing references to…an Apartheid-era slur used to discriminate against Black people in South Africa.” Read >

CLIMATE + ENVIRONMENT

If You Want Americans to Pay Attention to Climate Change, Just Call It Climate Change

“We found no evidence that the alternative terms increased people’s sense of urgency, willingness to support climate-friendly policies or willingness to act.” Read >

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

The “Prosecutor vs. Felon” Line Isn’t the Slam Dunk Team Harris Thinks It Is

“Being convicted of a felony doesn’t disqualify someone from running for public office, and it shouldn’t mean that someone is inherently unfit to serve anyway. But the specifics of what Trump did—the lies and the fraud—make a more compelling case against him than any one label could.” Read >

HEALTH

Yes, the Way We Talk About Suicide Matters

“Speculating about the reason for someone’s death or attributing their death to one specific cause—such as blaming a celebrity’s death on a breakup—perpetuates the misconception that a single factor can cause suicide.” Read >

The Asian American Journalists Association Style Guide

“It is our hope that this guide can bring more nuance, accuracy and accountability to coverage of the AAPI population, which is made up of about 50 ethnic groups that speak more than 100 languages.” Visit Ethnicity, Race + Nationality >

From the Archives

Are All Grandmothers Amazing Cooks?

“The phenomenon is essentially a threefold stereotype involving gender, age, and (for bonus credibility) ethnicity.” Read >

In Case You Missed It

In the July 2024 newsletter…

• Why We Shouldn’t Call Trump a “Criminal”
• Stop Saying “Conservative” When You Mean Fascist
• Words Such as Racist Slurs Can Literally Hurt—Here’s the Science

Read >

Stuff to Buy

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