What does Global Majority mean?
Global Majority is a collective term that refers to people who are Black, Asian, Brown, Mixed Heritage, Indigenous to the Global South and/or are not racialised as White.
Did you know that people from Global Majority backgrounds represent around 85%1 of the world’s population? Using ‘Global Majority’ moves the focus away from Europe and whiteness.
Why is UWE using an umbrella term for people from Global Majority backgrounds?
We understand the limitations of umbrella terms: they can be problematic, grouping diverse communities into a single category and not recognising nuance in the lived experiences of diverse communities. Umbrella terms are useful up to a point. They help us recognise that racism is a common experience that harms many Global Majority people.
Umbrella terms can also be helpful when analysing the data we have, and to help illustrate and describe the barriers faced by Global Majority people compared to similar groups of White people. This data helps us to plan initiatives that improve the experience of students who experience barriers at UWE, for example Global Majority students.
Why are we making this change?
Previously we were using the term BAME (Black Asian and minority ethnic). Global Majority students and staff have told us (via surveys) that they would prefer we say Global Majority. This term can be seen as empowering. It brings the contributions, perspectives and demographic realities of the majority of the world’s population to the foreground.
Our choice of language is important, particularly in discussions about race and racism. The words we use have the potential to cause harm but also hold significant power in challenging injustice and promoting positive change. Language plays a powerful role in shaping how we see the world, our university and each other. This transition reflects our commitment to building an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone and ensures that our language better aligns with our values and our goal to work towards becoming anti-racist.
As a White student, does this mean I’m a minority?
It’s about context. White people made up the majority of the population of England and Wales in the 2021 census: around 82%. In a global context, around 15% of people are White. Ultimately, it’s about equity. Speaking about Global Majority helps us recognise the scale of the impact of racism and the urgency of addressing it in our university.
What else is UWE doing to tackle racism?
Language is a start, but language won’t end racism on its own. UWE Bristol is developing an anti-racism strategy. In the early stages we aim to equip staff with the tools they need to do the work, including language, anti-racism training, and guidance on how to work with people who experience racism to make positive collective change (co-production), to prepare staff for their part in the systemic change to come.
We acknowledge that language is constantly evolving and if we are to be a leading anti-racist university it’s important to acknowledge and challenge our own part in perpetuating racism, including reframing how we refer to Global Majority students and staff.
Can I still use my own words to describe my own identity?
Yes, definitely. Global Majority replaces previous terms and acronyms like BAME. This change doesn’t affect how you refer and speak about yourself, your ethnicity, culture, colour, nationality or citizenship, or national origins.
We want to avoid taking a one-size-fits-all approach to language that overlooks the nuances of individual experiences, strengths, preferences and identities. We are conscious that your language will vary when it comes to the words you use to describe yourself and others. That’s great! We need to ensure we value the diversity of perspectives and preferences within our community. Taking a person-by-person approach is an important aspect of our journey towards anti-racism.
What can I do?
- If you hear outdated language being used, we want you to feel empowered to point people to this message, and to use the term Global Majority. Staff have been asked to do this too. This will help reinforce the change and encourage widespread adoption.
- Continue to use the language you prefer to describe your own identity. Respect people’s choices when they speak about their own identity and use more specific terms where appropriate (e.g. South Asian students, African staff). If you’re not sure, ask what words they’d like you to use. Use their preferred words when referring to them and don’t contradict or correct them. Also, understand that sometimes people’s identities change, for example if someone learns more about their own heritage, they may ask you to change the words you use when you speak about them.