Glossary and sector terms for Anti-Oppression, Anti-Racism, and Inclusion

How can museums and galleries change the language they use to become more inclusive, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive spaces?

This page contains resources that look at challenging language as part of an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and inclusive practice. These resources are starting points for the interrogation of terminology commonly used within the heritage sector and recognise that the language used has historically upheld exclusionary practices. Each section begins with a reflective question which can be used a prompt before engaging with the resources.

How can museums and galleries use language to address issues relating to power and identity?

This glossary from The Anti-Racist Educator contains working definitions of terms used to talk about race and racism. The language and associated contextual information included within this resource can support your anti-racist and anti-oppressive work.

How can museums and galleries make informed and inclusive choices on the words they use to describe their collections?

Words Matter: An Unfinished Guide To Word Choices In The Cultural Sector composed by the National Museum for World Cultures (Tropenmuseum, Afrikamuseum, Museum Volkenkunde, Wereldmuseum).

This resource contends with discriminatory language used in the museum sector and is useful in understanding the importance of using anti-racist, anti-ableist, and anti-oppressive terminology and how to avoid generalisations and misrepresentations. It begins with a series of articles examining the context of language used within the sector and it ends with a glossary of sensitive terms and suggestions for alternative words.

How do museums and galleries ensure that they are using non-discriminatory language?

This guidance produced by Carissa Chew provides an in-depth interrogation of exclusionary terminology used within the cultural heritage sector and suggests non-discriminatory language to use instead. This guidance is useful in understanding how using discriminatory language can uphold oppression and exclusion.

How can museums and galleries change the language they use to acknowledge the legacies of colonialism?

This glossary collated by the Curatorial Research Centre  attempts to identify and contextualise language used to describe historically excluded people, the forms of oppression they encounter, and terms associated with the legacies of colonialism and empire. This resource is helpful to anyone engaging in anti-racist or anti-oppressive work who would like to use more inclusive language within their practice.

How can museums in Scotland commit to decolonisation meaningfully?

The term ‘decolonisation’ is contested within the heritage sector—this article written by Eve Tuck and K. Wayne Yang provides a foundational understanding of the issues that are caused when decolonisation is appropriated and used as a metaphor. This resource looks at how decolonisation is distinct and not to be confused with other social justice efforts that do not centre the repatriation of Indigenous land and life. Have a look at this blog post on our website, Decolonising the Scottish Museum: The Stakes of a Decolonial Approach to Scottish History by Professor Tommy J. Curry which examines museum decolonisation within a Scottish context.

This glossary of terms related to slavery and empire and their legacies looks at how language shapes our perception of power and identity. It is displayed in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and was developed in collaboration with the Our Shared Cultural Heritage Changemakers. This glossary .