resolution

Expansion of Inclusive Language

2016 Book of Resolutions, #3122

Whereas, we live in an ever-changing global community with a diversity of multi-racial identities where racial/ethnic identification is not limited to one category and much of the world bases identity on ethnic nationality rather than racial/ethnic categories; and

Whereas, the United Nations and countries other than the US have varying racial/ethnic classifications; and

Whereas, the inclusion and naming of persons with more than one racial or ethnic identity gives visibility to people who often are excluded; and

Whereas, many of our own forms within our church are exclusive requiring the growing population of biracial/multiracial people to choose between one identity or another, by requiring people to identify themselves by selecting only one of the six dominant racial options: Asian, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), Native American, Pacific Islander, and White;

Therefore, be it resolved, that The United Methodist Church expand its inclusive language in all aspects of the church to include biracial/multiracial persons by offering racial identification options that are not limiting but embracing of persons with more than one racial or ethnic background.

ADOPTED 2012
RESOLUTION #3122, 2012 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS

See Social Principles, ¶ 162A.

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