White ≠ European (American): Comment on APA’s Updated Inclusive Language Guide

Abstract

The American Psychological Association (APA) released the second edition of the Inclusive Language Guide in late 2023. One aspect of this guide that was not updated from the previous version was the recommendation for authors to use either “White” or “European [nationality]” when “writing about people of European ancestry.” In this comment, we argue that “white” and “European” or “European American,” for instance, are not terms that can or should be used interchangeably. Although most individuals racialized as white have European ancestry, it is generally not their ethnic heritage that is most impactful for their opportunities and experiences, but their perceived and ascribed inclusion in whiteness. Regardless of research topic, employing the term “European (American)” rather than “white” obscures whiteness and the concomitant role of systemic racism shaping the lives of all individuals, including those racialized as white. Moreover, using the terms “white” and “European (American)” interchangeably implies that only people racialized as white can be European, masking the history and current reality of millions of Europeans of Color. Labels that limit being European to those racialized as white perpetuate othering and uphold a hierarchy where being white is the only acceptable embodiment of being European. With racism on the rise in Europe, it is important for researchers to recognize the power in the language we use. We suggest that APA and scholars following APA style consider the implications of these terms and not use them interchangeably, as doing so reinforces inequity across the globe.