Terminology

Language around equality issues has evolved and to ensure consistency and avoid offence clarity about terminology and accepted good practice in detailed below.

Afro-Caribbean, African Caribbean

Both Afro-Caribbean and African-Caribbean are used in official documentation to refer to black people however they may well be offensive to people born in Britain. The term Afro-Caribbean is generally now deemed as unacceptable even though it continues to be fairly common usage.

Asian

It is generally appropriate to use the term "Asian" or "British Asian", however Asia is a vast continent and there may be circumstances were it is not appropriate to make such a broad reference.

People of Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi origin, for example, may prefer to be referred to as such rather than “Asian”.

Asylum Seeker

An asylum seeker is anyone who has submitted an application for asylum and is waiting for a decision.

Black

The term "Black" is often used in a political sense to include all people who share a common experience of discrimination because of their colour, nationality or ethnic origin.

Others take "Black" more literally to mean someone with dark skin.

Some people of Asian background find the term offensive when applied to them, while other people will not wish to be called "Black" because of its political connotations.

In most cases there is no objection to “Black” being used as a description, but it should be used as an adjective "a Black person" or the "Black community" not as a noun as in "Blacks" or "there’s another Black".

Immigrant

There is no legal definition of ‘immigrant’ in the UK the term is often used to refer to someone who leaves their country of origin to settle permanently in another country, e.g. someone who comes over on a work permit or somebody who comes to live with their Scottish spouse.

Migrant

Someone who makes a conscious, voluntary choice to leave their country of origin and if and when they want to return, they can do so with no obstruction from their government.

Refugees

A refugee is someone who has had a positive decision on their asylum application. It has a precise legal definition under the 1951 UN convention on Refugees

"owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country"

Terms incorrectly applied to refugees/asylum seekers

economic migrant apparently someone who leaves their country to seek a more prosperous way of life (see migrant) illegal asylum seeker by definition there is no such thing as anyone has the right to apply for asylum and remain in the UK until a decision on their application has been made.

West Indian

The term "West Indian" was used in this country as an all encompassing phrase to describe first generation settlers from the Caribbean. It is a historical term and although used in limited circumstances (e.g. cricket) in most contexts it is inappropriate.

The following terms are being used/have been historically used but are generally regarded as unacceptable

Ethnic or ethnics used in isolation or to sections of the community is unacceptable – the term minority ethnic (preferred term in Scotland) or black and minority ethnic (England) is a more suitable alternative. Use of the term also denies ethnicity to white majorities.

Coloured

Often used to classify people who were neither black nor white. As none of us are colourless, the concept of coloured is rather meaningless. The term should not be used.

Half-caste

This term stems from the caste system in India and refers to people who are from mixed ethnic origin and should be avoided.

Non-white

Classifies people only by their exclusion from the “white” group and should be avoided. Better to refer to the specific ethnic group, if known or to people from minority ethnic/ethnic minority backgrounds.

In circumstances where it is necessary to refer to someone’s race or ethnicity and you are uncertain about the terminology to use, ask them how they wish to be described.

Scottish Gypsies/Travellers

It is estimated that there are some 20,000 Scottish Gypsies/Travellers although accuracy is an issue due to a reluctance to self-identify, due to prejudice and ignorance. Some travel for work and others as part of their life style. Many live in houses for all or part of the year but still see themselves as belonging to a distinct community.

It is inappropriate to refer to Scottish Gypsies/Travellers as "gippos", "tinkers" or "pikies".