BIPOC 101 with RelativeVision

This concept can be carried out as well in the way we refer to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). The continued use of “minority or marginalized” sets up BIPOC communities in terms of their quantity instead of their quality and removes their personhood. The use of these terms directly contradicts MHA’s focus on the individual and our hope to empower the individual as a whole person. The word “minority” also emphasizes the power differential between “majority” and “minority” groups and can make BIPOC feel as though “minority” is synonymous with inferiority. Though “minority” and “marginalized” may continue to be used in academic spaces, the words the mental health community uses need to change in order to help communities understand how these terms create and perpetuate negative images and stereotypes of individuals that identify as BIPOC. By including “BI” Black and Indigenous in addition to “POC” people of color, we are honoring the unique experiences of Black and Indigenous individuals and their communities, as well as the spectrum of existence and experience by POC. Thus, as of July 2020, MHA will no longer use the term “minority” and is currently phasing out the term "minority" across our materials and website.  This change helps demonstrate that we are actively working on looking at our own work and the role we play in educating others.

Thanks for reading!!  Stop by next week for more in-depth information with Melanin Minds whose mission is to create a holistic space that centers BIPOC  mental health. Melanin Minds is starting a series of art weekends highlighting the intersection of mental health & art within BIPOC communities and the First stop is in Los Angeles.

https://melaninminds.org