Decolonizing the Language We Use
Alt-Text: Banner reads "Abolition, Decolonization, Liberation" held by protestors on the steps of a courthouse.
Attribution: activist group "Decolonize This Place"
Photo Description: Women standing on the steps of a courthouse holding a red banner encouraging the abolition, decolonization, and liberation of the systems in the United States (the protest took place in New York City).
Decolonizing language requires reflection on why we use the words we do when we do. Consider words that are now considered to be derogatory where they "didn't use to be," where language, particularly English, is a colonizer language that is continuously used to oppress and use stereotypes to limit groups of people.
How does the way we talk about our environment adjust the way we treat it? How would it change if instead of using ableist language we used inclusive language, free of judgment?
These are questions we need to be asking ourselves to be good allies, yes, but also to change the continued white supremacist system which only lends itself useful to the upper-class white men that continue to rule over society.
Alt-Text: Woman wearing a mask holding a sign that reads "Only Insecure Men Control Women's Bodies" with skyscraper buildings seen in the background.
Attribution: Katie Godowski
Photo Description: Resist the systems that control women's bodily autonomy
Decolonization can take place in many ways, and it must. I'm emphasizing the decolonization of language because it is a step most people can take without having to leave the comforts of their home, but I encourage participating in courses like "How to be Anti-Racist," reading on the topics from people who experience these oppressions.
Here is a list of recommended reading:
How to Be Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph
Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by adrienne maree brown
A Beginner's Guide to Building Better Worlds: Ideas and Inspiration from the Zapatistas by Levi Gahman et al.
The 500 Years of Resistance Comic Book by Gord Hill
Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
The Feminist Killjoys blog by Sara Ahmed (https://feministkilljoys.com/)
A Knock on the Door: The Essential History of Residential Schools from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
These are only some of the books I've read on my journey, and there are always more to come. These provide a good starting point for research if you want to learn how to decolonize your language, your thoughts, and your land.












