People of Colour
Culture is learned
Culture is shared.
Culture is dynamic.
Culture is systemic.
Culture is symbolic.
(eCampusOntario, u.d.)
Meaningful, deep cultural awareness is the first step towards communicating with POC communities with sensitivity and understanding. Taking the time as an organisation or an individual to become aware that different people have different ways and times of doing things. Cultural awareness is the preparation and work done towards gaining an understanding of how to communicate and understand POC communities. Your way is not the way and it is important to decenter whiteness and white social, linguistic and cultural conventions from being the norm. Becoming aware of the beliefs, attitudes, values, and traditions of other cultures is necessary in order to communicate with meaning, sensitivity and respect. Fostering an environment of cultural awareness and appreciation of diversity is essential to communicating externally with POC communities.
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Make an explicit verbal and practical commitment to diversity within your organisation.
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Embrace multiculturalism through social initiatives within your organisation.
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Ensure diversity training within your organisation.
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Provide services to support and moderate workplace conduct.
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When writing, creating or producing for POC communities, do thorough research into the particular language conventions and cultural norms of the target audience in order to ensure respect and clarity.
Embracing Multiculturalism
Language
Effective cross-cultural communication relies on practical learning and implementation of culturally-informed language and conversation skills. Inclusive language reflects Australia’s diversity, is meaningful to a wide audience, and enables everyone to feel that they are being reflected in what is being said. To feel included, POC need to ‘see’ and ‘hear’ themselves reflected in the language used at work (Diversity Council Australia, 2016).
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Avoid using language that makes generalisations about a person or a community.
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See the following table (USofC Department of Diversity Iniatives, u.d.) listing some common non-white identities and their language conventions. It is always best practice to ask what term is preferred by the person or group and this table is just a general guide.
Asian, Asian-Australian, Pacific Islander, Desi/Indian
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Asian refers to people of Asian descent or people who are citizens of countries in the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian subcontinent. You would refer to groups as ‘Asian students’ for example, or ‘Asian board members’ not just ‘Asians’
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Pacific Islander refers to Samoan, Tongan, Fijian and other peoples of the Pacific Island nations. Use Asian/Pacific Islander when referring to the relevant population in its entirety.
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Desi/Indian refers to individuals whose cultural and ethnic identity are related to the Indian subcontinent and the diaspora.
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Overall when referring to cultures and people, try to be specific. For example, if you are referring to individuals from Korea, instead of “Asian”, use “Korean”
Hispanic, Latin(a/o), Latinx
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Hispanic refers to people from Spanish-speaking countries. Latino, Latina, or Latinx (La-Teen-ex) is a person of Latin American descent who can be of any background or language.
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Latinx is the gender-neutral term and can be used to refer to non-binary/gender fluid individuals. It can also be used when referring to a group.
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People from Mexico, Cuba, and Guatemala who speak Spanish are both Hispanic and Latin(o/a)/Latinx. Brazilians who speak Portuguese are Latin(o/a)/Latinx but not Hispanic.
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Spanish-speaking people in Spain and outside Latin America are Hispanic but not Latin(o/a)/Latinx.
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Consider the necessity of using race when speaking or writing. For example ask yourself: “Would I mention ‘white student’ or ‘white faculty member’ when discussing others?
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When referring to POC do not use the terms like “coloured people” or “minority” to refer to individuals/students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Instead, use “people of color/students of color”. Obviously as well, avoid derogatory language, slurs, and other vicious language.
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When communicating with someone who has a different native language or accent than you do, avoid using slang terms and be conscious about speaking clearly. This protocol applies to communication with a broad community as well, digital and written communications should avoid slang terms in order to foster inclusivity and speak to a broad, diverse audience.
Openness and Vulnerability
If you are a white institution, organisation or individual, when communicating with POC communities, it is necessary to be open to learning, taking on criticism, and self-reflecting. There is no weakness in admitting that you don’t understand something, know the appropriate language, or have made a mistake (Presence Group, u.d.). Ask for guidance and give POC individuals the opportunity to help you and share their experience. Vulnerability and openness has a strong impact on fostering deep cultural understanding. It allows us to grow and in turn, communicate more effectively to POC communities. Practice openness and vulnerability by:
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Approaching people who think and react in a different way than you. This requires a level of cultural sensitivity that is critical to fostering in order to understand, get along and communicate with others. Leveraging cultural diversity and the ability to embrace differences while “learning from each other” (Giancarlo, 2008) is the success of having cultural sensitivity..
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Being genuinely interested in cultural differences and value diversity (Giancarlo, 2008). Ask people about the cultural differences that shape their lives, and empathise with the experience of others. Show curiosity and genuine interest in their perspectives, way of life, and values.
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Accepting mistakes, taking proactive steps to self-educate, reaching out for guidance from POC where appropriate, taking criticism, acknowledging misunderstanding, and accept that gaining cross-cultural understanding is a continuous learning process.
Diversity Council Australia 2016, Inclusive Language, accessed 20 October 2021, < https://www.dca.org.au/inclusive-language-0
​​Duranti, G. 2008, Globalization: eyeball to eyeball, Paper presented at PMI® Global Congress 2008—North America, Denver, CO. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.
eCampusOntario, Cross-Cultural Communication, accessed 16 October 2021, <
(Presence Group, The five fundamentals of effective cross-cultural communication, accessed 21 October 2021,<https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/cross-cultural-communication-twelve-guidelines-6961?fbclid=IwAR3NYg_MNUc203eZWVjV9tuwXv8lYTrTceReHt0ojfZ_K1-WHv8LYeTyKuc>