Word power: inclusion through language
summary
Language shapes inclusion and exclusion and specific everyday words cause harm: ableist terms like crazy/insane/dumb, homophobic uses of "that's gay", and gendered defaults like "hi guys" marginalize people and affect careers. Concrete tactics tested in workplaces and online include offering neutral replacements, flipping terms to reveal bias, citing history (eugenic roots of slurs) and, failing that, withdrawing participation. The @manwhohasitall parody and repeated polite corrections serve as tools to change norms.
AI-written summary · about
chapters (10)
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:25Words as everyday weapons
- 3:39Why inclusive language matters
- 5:23Unlearning exclusive terms
- 6:26Ableist language prevalence
- 8:31Calling out exclusive language
- 10:57Humor to highlight bias
- 12:25Case study: 'Hi guys'
- 14:55How to respond when called out
- 16:01Q&A
related talks
39mHow can our language and behaviour be more inclusive
41mWords Matter
25mMicroaggressions & Inclusive Language
49mPanel Discussion: Words Matter: Inclusive Language in Software, Open Source, & the Enterprise
38mHow words impact hiring and retention
15mDismantling the Binary, one Microaggression at a Time
31mTrans Eye for the Cis Ally: Ensuring an Inclusive Community
52mAnyone can be an alphabet soup ally