Important Announcements

Nondiscrimination Policy Update

Boston Medical Center Health System complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, culture, physical or mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity and/or expression. BMCHS provides free aids and services to people with disabilities and free language services to people whose primary language is not English.

To read our full Nondiscrimination Statement, click here.

People of Color

People of Color

Noun

A self-defined, asset-based term for people who do not identify as White, often abbreviated POC; used in place of minority, which connotes “less than” and in place of non-White, which is deficit-based. According to Loretta J. Ross, the term was started by women of color in solidarity with each other.

Note: Can be applied to groups and places, e.g. communities of color, faculty of color, students of color. 

Source

Adapted from multiple sources, including Loretta J. Ross formerly of SisterSong, Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective (2011).

The Glossary for Culture Transformation is a living document to be revised on an annual basis.

Suggested Citation: Office of Equity, Vitality, and Inclusion, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, and Boston University Medical Group. Glossary for Culture Transformation. 2021.

For questions or suggestions, please email wordsmatter@bu.edu