I am Black, not a POC.
As a Black girl, I like inclusive spaces where everybody feels safe enough to express themselves and their opinions; however, the term "POC" is something inclusive that I cannot get on board with.
The term "POC" is the abbreviation of "person of color," primarily used to describe any person that is not considered white. This is a broad and overly simplistic label. Even though this term was probably created with the best of intentions, its use can change its meaning. It can be a useful term in certain contexts, but it is also reductive and erases the unique experiences and identities of different racial and ethnic groups.
The term "POC" is the abbreviation of "person of color," primarily used to describe any person that is not considered white. This is a broad and overly simplistic label. Even though this term was probably created with the best of intentions, its use can change its meaning. It can be a useful term in certain contexts, but it is also reductive and erases the unique experiences and identities of different racial and ethnic groups.
While each minority group faces unique challenges, this "one-size-fits-all" approach to diversity ignores the unique needs of the most vulnerable communities, particularly the Black community. The grouping of Black people in this term minimizes their struggle and pushes it to the background because, even though all Black people are persons of color, not all persons of color are Black. The term "POC" (intentionally or not) is sidestepping the truth: that certain effects of racism—things like mass incarceration and police violence—disproportionately affect Black people.
For many Black individuals, being called "Black" is a way of asserting our identity and acknowledging the specific struggles and challenges that come with being a member of the Black community. This includes confronting systemic racism, dealing with microaggressions and other forms of discrimination, and working to promote Black excellence and cultural pride. The Black identity is not just a label but a complex and multifaceted experience that encompasses a wide range of cultural, social, and historical factors. To replace it with the term "person of color" is disrespectful because not everyone who is a person of color will understand my Black pride, nor will they have the same struggles that I face now or in the future. It groups together individuals from vastly different cultural and racial backgrounds, erasing important distinctions between different groups.
For many Black individuals, being called "Black" is a way of asserting our identity and acknowledging the specific struggles and challenges that come with being a member of the Black community. This includes confronting systemic racism, dealing with microaggressions and other forms of discrimination, and working to promote Black excellence and cultural pride. The Black identity is not just a label but a complex and multifaceted experience that encompasses a wide range of cultural, social, and historical factors. To replace it with the term "person of color" is disrespectful because not everyone who is a person of color will understand my Black pride, nor will they have the same struggles that I face now or in the future. It groups together individuals from vastly different cultural and racial backgrounds, erasing important distinctions between different groups.
I understand that a lot of people won't understand my strong stance on the term because it can be useful in promoting solidarity and collaboration across different racial and ethnic groups, recognizing the ways in which different communities experience similar forms of discrimination and marginalization. It also opens up the possibility of working together to challenge these systems of oppression, recognizing that experiences of discrimination are not limited to any one particular racial or ethnic group, but are instead shaped by broader systems of power and oppression.
But ultimately, I can only express how I personally feel, and because Black issues have continuously been pushed out the spotlight, I will not be using this term when dealing with issues that directly affect Black people. I want to shed light on how systemic racism, discrimination, and oppression have shaped the Black experience while also celebrating the resilience, creativity, and strength of the Black community in the face of these challenges.
But ultimately, I can only express how I personally feel, and because Black issues have continuously been pushed out the spotlight, I will not be using this term when dealing with issues that directly affect Black people. I want to shed light on how systemic racism, discrimination, and oppression have shaped the Black experience while also celebrating the resilience, creativity, and strength of the Black community in the face of these challenges.
Betty Rivers
