When I noticed that terms like POC and WOC were becoming the new norm, my initial reaction was to think that it was a rather odd trend, especially considering the times where people referred me as one. People would ask me questions like “Nicole, tell me about your experience in ________ as a WOC.” Looking at me, it’s crystal clear which genes dominate me, I can’t speak for a whole range of colors. Even with people who look like me, the experience can vary.

Reasons why I don’t like the terms WOC and POC:

1. According to the global demographics, most of the world would technically be POC. Is it really a special and unique label if it applies to most of the world?
2. POCs can be racist towards each other. We don’t always treat each other fairly. Many non-white majority nations have their own issues with color hierarchies, where lighter skin people tend to be more privileged than their fellow darker skin citizens.
3. The term POC sounds like a rebranded version of “colored people” coined by “progressives”
4. Non-white people are lumped together (despite being the global majority), so it indirectly reiterates whiteness as the standard.