BIPOC:
Do you know what it means? A week ago I hadn't. I heard it while listening to a speaker I missed the name of. Similar to LGBTQIA+, it is a newer term that brings awareness to groups who weren't getting the representation. Although, it is much more alike our newest pride flag:
This pride flag emphasized two groups who needed representation in the Queer community because of their discrimination. Transgender and BIPOC have been abused and neglected by a community that screams about representation and equality still has issues with Transgender and BIPOC, hence the edit.
So back BIPOC. BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Just like the flag, it takes people within the community who have been marginalized even within the community of POC.
The problem with using older terminology and using old flags communicates that you do not recognize the injustices to Black, Indigenous and Trans people. Refusal communicates that you do not care. Having old merchandise doesn't mean you should burn it all in the name of better representation. It means, from this day forward, if you care, you will use these new terms.
As a trans person, as an indiginous decent and POC I struggled. Even I forgot that POC can still hurt and be racist towards black, Indigenous and other POC. I forgot that Queer people can still hurt trans and BIPOC. I am privileged to have been able to forget, because the people I surrounded myself with love me for who I am.
So please use BIPOC and recognize racism and the disparities on how Black and Indiginous people are treated. Please use LGBTQIA+ and don't forget the marginalized. Please use the new flag and remember where we came from and where we could go.
