Not a Minority: Why Language Matters in Ending Biases and Improving Mental Health
by Martha Rodriguez, LCSW
As a licensed clinical social worker serving children, individuals, and families in the private and public sector for more than 15 years, I understand what the intended purpose is when using the word minority when referring to certain populations. When used appropriately, the word really refers to a group that is not part of a majority. It is not intended to be negative, harmful, or biased when used in this way. (See Dictionary.com for a definition.) Unfortunately, the word minority is used quite often in negative forms to refer to certain groups through many platforms, such as the social media. The way the word is used now in many instances has completely changed the meaning and purpose, making the use of it feel harmful and negative.
The use of the word in this negative form has created an opportunity for the word to really hold a bias. I personally have supported many children and adults who experienced the harmful effects of the word when used inappropriately.
Why, then, have we been referring to certain groups using this word, and how does this action affect mental health? While we examine the use of this word, let us also reflect on the use of other words, such as immigrant, alien, and Hispanic. Words have power, and they can break people. Thus, language should be respectful. In an effort to improve our own mental health and that of those around us, we should lead efforts aimed at identifying and replacing words that encourage oppression and victimization. Now more than ever, our society is being called on to become active participants in the work to address the generational abuse and trauma faced by oppressed communities. As we fight for the rights of all oppressed and vulnerable groups, our duty is to ensure we use strategies that change the way we discuss culture.
Why I Refuse To Use the Word Minority
One of the definitions for the word minority is “a group in society distinguished from, and less dominant than, the more numerous majority, a racial, ethnic, religious, or social subdivision of a society that is subordinate to the dominant group...” according to Dictionary.com.
As a child, I felt this word was used to refer to my community as being less than. As an adult, I experienced the word being manipulated to define and confine my community. And now as a social worker, I often have supported students and families who have experienced negative biases as a result of the use of this word, as well as others such as illegal alien. Media outlets are providing an excellent example of using language and/or terminology to portray the stereotypes associated with belonging to a minority group, rather than demonstrating all aspects, including the positives of being a part of that minority group. In an article titled On Race: The Relevance of Saying ‘Minority,’ Edward Schumacher Matos references the following quote: “... 'minority' is part of a media language 'mired in euphemisms and the tortured, convoluted syntax that betray America's pathological avoidance of straight talk about race relations' ....minority status is insulting to blacks, Latinos, and Asians and ignores their cultural influence on the mainstream....the emphasis encourages victimization.”
As a licensed clinical social worker working in the education field, I have had to listen to endless accounts from my students of how this word has negatively impacted the way they view themselves. They do not understand why this word is used to reference their community or ethnicity. I have had to process with my students the implications of this word, as well as others, such as “immigrant” and “alien.” Many of my students shared the way the use of this word made them feel, “ashamed, sorry, less than, and inadequate.” These experiences will forever stay with me. I myself endured many harsh experiences of racism and discrimination while growing up as an immigrant in the South Bronx. Even this word “immigrant” is just another example of an attempt to refer to certain group in a derogatory and inferior form. As a young teenager, I was once forced out of a New York City Yellow Cab by a driver who insisted I could not afford to pay him. While I screamed and fought against his hands, which he used to drag me out of his car, he insisted no Latino “minority” living in the Bronx could afford to pay his fare. As I lay on the ground on which he threw me; I was once again reminded of a word that was used to encourage victimization, hate, and violence. Do we even realize the implications of such actions, the re-traumatization, and re-victimization that occurs in moments like these?
Many of my students shared how these words always had a cruel way of reminding them that certain words were part of a vocabulary that was not only accepted but used to put them in their place, perpetuating again stigmas and reinforcing the biases made by using this word.
The Impact of Negative Words and Language
Negative words and language can have a detrimental impact on our mental, spiritual, and physical health. We all have negative thoughts about ourselves at some point in our lives. But our thoughts and feelings about ourselves may unfortunately become our reality. To avoid this from occurring, we must identify the negative language that can perpetuate negative thoughts and decide to replace our vocabulary with words that develop strong and healthy human beings. I invite you to think about what it would be like explaining to someone else that they are considered to be less than someone else based on one simple word. Now, reflect on how this might affect their self-esteem and self-worth. Think about the feelings of sadness, fear, isolation, anger, and difficulties with understanding and acceptance of their own identity they will experience. The constant use of certain words in a derogatory context, and the language they hear, and read being used to refer to them will affect the way they view themselves, and the world.
The Implications of Positive Affirmations/Words/Language
What if, as soon as we awoke, we read, visualized, and heard positive words and language that became positive affirmations and turned into positive thinking? Language that would develop feelings of strength, love, value, and acceptance within ourselves? Words to emphasize the power of our own individualism of our “minority” groups? A reminder that no two people are alike and, therefore, our contributions to this world are just as valuable as those of any other group? The use of positive words and affirmations in our daily lives can improve our self-esteem, feelings of self-worth, physical being, and our overall mental and emotional state. Let’s examine our self-care - how do the words we use to refer to each other affect our overall being? Part of our toolbox or care plan should include removing words that we use that could reinforce biases or may be associated with stigmas. This may be difficult at first, but it is not impossible.
How To Move Forward
Our experiences and those of our students need to be validated and not minimized or compared to those had by others. My experiences are my own, and it is not my intention to equate what I lived through with that of others. It is my intention, however, to shed light on the pain that is felt when we use language in a derogatory form.
First, we must educate others about the use and meaning of these words and the damage that can be inflicted if we use them inappropriately! If we talk about this honestly, without judgment and fear, we can heal from the wounds left by these senseless acts. We must also hold accountable those who are using the words out of context and with intent to harm. Re-examine and magnify the beauty of our differences, and be intentional in portraying all aspects of the “minority” groups.
Ideally, we must be able to process our grief, pain, loss, and trauma by examining our own biases and reflecting on our beliefs through open, supportive conversations. We need to keep in mind that we must also set aside time to process our discussion and work through any unresolved feelings that may arise, as well as any unresolved traumas.
We must not continue to remain silent about this! Sharing our painful experiences may provide us with an opportunity to connect with others who may have experienced similar pain. In sharing these traumatic experiences, we may also gain a sense of support and hope from others. We can do our part to help end the generational trauma that has been experienced by the use of words such as “minority,” “alien,” and “illegal” to refer to certain groups. Our new administration will also play a key role in addressing language and exploring the use of these words and terms as examining these biases, and the impact of these used to refer to certain vulnerable communities, will certainly help us to improve our mental health, become better educators, and be better professionals.
Martha Rodriguez is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 15 years of experience in both private and public sectors. Martha Rodriguez serves as Florida’s School Social Work and Mental Health Consultant for the Student Support Services Project of the University of South Florida and the Florida Department of Education. Martha earned her master’s degree in clinical social work from Yeshiva University.