The Conscious Language Newsletter: September 2022

Henry Fuhrmann, 1956–2022

From the World of Conscious Language

“With the holidays right around the corner, brands have a unique opportunity to spread some much-needed cheer by creating campaigns that more accurately reflect their audiences.”

Brands are tweeting #KeepTheGrey to protest gendered ageism and the discrimination aging women face when aging men are often celebrated as “silver foxes” with “dad bods.”

“Culinary companies like VeganHood and Ghetto Gastro are making it known that words specific to Black American culture are to be celebrated.”

The 100-image library reflecting diverse travelers around the world “will be available for the public via Adobe Stock at no cost for social media, advertising and other content creators.”

“Even faced with the stats—that the 50+ crowd is a thriving, monied market, more Sharon Stone than Stone Age—advertisers continue to bungle the messaging.”

“As much as well-intentioned designers might aim to neutralize gender in their work, attempts to degender a product or space often mean defaulting to a plain style leaning towards masculinity.”

On a swirly blue background are three graphics above the words,

“Heightism even infiltrates language, which is full of idioms highlighting the virtues of being tall, while associating negative qualities with shortness.”

“The mingling of cuisines has been a part of human history forever.”

The evolving terminology of gender-affirming care.

A new study shows that viewing “prebunking” videos, based on inoculation theory, can help people spot misinformation. “Inoculation theory is about empowering people to make their own decisions about what to believe.”

“The newest edition of The Associated Press Stylebook…includes 35 disabilities-related entries and expanded guidance on the usage of they/them/their pronouns.”

“Twelve experts address many of the questions newsrooms need to ask when considering whether to publish graphic images from mass shootings.”

Soon, all Twitter users can opt in to alt-text reminders by “going into your settings and selecting ‘Accessibility’ and then tapping the ‘Receive image description reminder’ option.”

“The goal of digital accessibility is to provide the best possible experience for as many users as possible—not to accommodate a single group of people with disabilities.”

From the Archives

 What Needs to Change | Conscious Style Guide

“Editing itself should be invisible—copyeditors can no longer afford to be.”

In Case You Missed It

Just added: The “ACOG Guide to Language and Abortion” by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is “designed to help inform language choice for those writing about reproductive health to use language that is medically appropriate, clinically accurate, and without bias.”

Read about the term folx, trans-inclusive legislation, gender-neutral pronouns, and more.

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].