Connecting through language – Haref Network responds to complexity of words and their meaning
Haref stands for the Health and Race Equality Forum. We strive for health equity and work closely with our diverse local communities to tackle the processes that lead to health inequalities in specific ethnic groups.
Language is a powerful tool; carefully researched words can connect with people and make them feel heard. Get it wrong and you can alienate people or even cause offence. It’s important that the words we choose to describe what Haref does remain inclusive for everyone involved. The Haref Network welcomes people from many backgrounds who all experience the world in different ways. At the same time, one of the goals of the Haref Network is to come together to create a stronger voice to combat discrimination and health inequalities.
It's been a valuable experience to be a part of but vital that Haref lead the way in this discussion about the power of language and it's use by organisations and professionals
Haref Network member
How can we ensure people feel a sense of ownership and representation in our work when we support such a diverse range of communities? It’s a challenge! Any term that groups together many ethnicities and cultures will have its issues and categorisation, in general, has a long history of being problematic.
In 2021, we reviewed the terminology we use in relation to the communities we support. At the time, the preferred collective term from the Haref Network was ‘ethnically minoritised’ communities. We updated our communications but agreed to review everything in a year’s time. In October 2022, we began a thorough consultation process with our Haref Network that ran until March 2023. We brought in external consultants to facilitate discussions and find inclusive terminology for our Haref Network members, which also describes what Haref is and what we do. Following two discussion sessions and a survey, the consensus, with a significant number of votes, is ‘ethnically marginalised’.
What does ethnically marginalised mean?
‘Ethnically’ relates to someone's ethnicity (the fact of belonging to a large group with a shared culture, languages, history, set of traditions etc.)
‘Marginalised’ refers to communities that have been marginalised through the imbalance of status and power, identified by their racial or ethnic group. This is different to ‘minoritised’ which refers to groups in any society defined as ‘minorities’ by a dominant group that is numerically larger than the ethnic group.
The term marginalised I feel fits with the groups of people that Haref aims to support and clearly explains the discrimination and inequality the group face
Haref Network member
We understand that not everyone will agree with the Haref Network terminology. It is important to remember that:
- The Haref Network includes long established communities, new and emerging communities, migrant communities and sanctuary seekers. It also includes practitioners who work primarily with these groups
- We do not expect individuals to adopt this terminology, unless it feels appropriate
- We do not expect your organisation/group to adopt this terminology, unless this feels appropriate
- We need a term that is inclusive for everyone in the Haref Network but we will still describe specific communities wherever possible (e.g. Black Caribbean, Pakistani etc.)
I still don't feel 100% sure on any of the terminology. Still don't like the idea of grouping people together, and prefer talking about specific nationalities, ethnicities etc.
Haref Network member.
Highlights from the consultation
I was using ethnically minoritised previously, but as this was code for being marginalised - why don't we just say marginalised!
Haref Network member
Our first session was facilitated by Ranjana Bell MBE. Ranjana has over 35 years’ experience in the field of Equality and Diversity. She has been a Race Equality Officer for a local authority; an Equal Opportunities Officer for a university; a Non-Executive Director for a design company, and is the Director for her own company, RBA Equality & Diversity which she founded in 1998.
We explored the challenges around racism and micro-aggressions which are often a daily occurrence for people, and how this affects their treatment in healthcare. Systemic racism exists but is sometimes hard to prove what people experience.
We also talked about the importance of allyship. We all need to be discussing race and racism, especially since many voluntary and community organisations are predominantly white. Allies can make a huge difference in the workplace for people who are experiencing racism.
Our second session was facilitated by Beverley Prevatt Goldstein. Beverly brings a wealth of experience from her professional background as a Social Worker, an Academic and an Author. Beverley also has over 50 years’ experience as an Equalities and Community Activist. She is a Trainer and Consultant in Equalities to community organisations, childcare providers, social workers and their organisations, and to university staff.
We explored the history of relevant terminology and revisited the aims and purpose of Haref. The group wanted to focus on terms that explained a process and use active words. The most popular terms were those that described the reasons Haref works with these particular groups rather than names for the groups themselves. This was one of the reasons for excluding terms such as BAME, politically Black, ethnic minority, global majority.
I think we can say “marginalised and minoritised” as well. I think process words are important as we need to start to be open about the systemic experiences on some communities in our society. People are not a minority they are systemically minoritised
Haref Network member
You can read the detailed notes from the consultation process in the report below. If you have any questions about this consultation, please email haref@connectedvoice.org.uk
