minorities | Campus Safe Words

TERM: minorities
RISK LEVEL: High

Definition

“Minorities” is a term historically used to describe groups differentiated from the majority population by race, ethnicity, religion, or other characteristics. In higher education, it often refers to students, faculty, or communities that are underrepresented in terms of population or institutional power.

Why It’s Risky

The term “minorities” has drawn increasing criticism for its perceived vagueness, outdated framing, and potential to reinforce identity-based group politics. In politically conservative environments, the term may be viewed as contributing to the fragmentation of campus communities into identity categories that promote grievance narratives or victimhood ideologies. Legislation such as Florida’s Stop W.O.K.E. Act and Texas SB 17 directly challenge programming or instruction that emphasizes race or ethnicity as a basis for differential treatment or historical injustice. Using “minorities” in official campus documents or initiatives can raise red flags under these laws, particularly when it serves as the basis for targeted scholarships, affinity spaces, or faculty hiring preferences.

Common Critiques

One frequent conservative critique is that the term “minorities” lumps together highly diverse groups into a single category, masking individual experiences and promoting a collectivist lens inconsistent with American ideals of individual merit. Critics argue that its use perpetuates race consciousness at the expense of shared civic identity. In the context of higher education, the term often appears in programs or statements that emphasize historic marginalization, systemic racism, or the need for equity-based interventions—topics now under legal scrutiny in multiple states.

Additionally, opponents contend that “minorities” as a label can entrench a narrative of permanent disadvantage, suggesting that some groups are perpetually less capable without institutional assistance. This framing, they argue, fosters dependency on administrative systems rather than encouraging self-determination and achievement based on individual effort. In scholarship policies, admissions practices, and faculty training materials, the term may be seen as a proxy for race-based preferences, which face legal challenges following recent Supreme Court rulings.

Use of “minorities” may also trigger accusations of promoting divisive concepts, particularly when paired with language around oppression, privilege, or reparation. Critics suggest that its presence in campus language signals a political stance that undermines race-neutral principles and equal treatment under the law.

Acceptable Alternatives

1. Underrepresented students (when clearly defined)

2. Specific group names (e.g., Black students, Hispanic faculty)

3. Students from diverse backgrounds

4. First-generation or low-income students (if applicable)

5. All students (when group distinctions are unnecessary)

When It’s Still Appropriate

The term “minorities” may still be appropriate in certain legal, historical, or statistical contexts, such as citing demographic data from the U.S. Census or referencing officially designated minority-serving institutions. It can also be used in academic research, particularly in sociology or public policy, when clearly defined and grounded in empirical methods. However, it should be used with caution in public-facing materials, mission statements, or program descriptions.

Notes

If retention of the term is necessary, define it precisely and tie its usage to neutral statistical or legal criteria. Avoid linking it to concepts that suggest systemic oppression or inherited disadvantage. Substitute group-specific language wherever possible to reduce ambiguity and increase political defensibility.