Came across the story on this move a few minutes ago and wanted to share it with you. As immigration reform continues to be a headline and restructuring of ethnic categories continues during our gradual demographic shift, some new labels are being created and existing ones being thrown out. The Associated Press, or AP, has agreed to do without the term “illegal immigrant”. Many journalists have called this term dehumanizing and with a change in the Stylebook of labels. Illegal can only be used to describe actions moving forward. Though the AP is moving forward on doing without the term, some say the Times may not be making as huge a change. On one end journalists are saying this is something they have been looking at doing for years where some are hinting a specific campaign calling for journalists to “Drop the I Word” may have been another driving force. Link below for the article we found on the AP’s change as well as a link to the “Drop the I Word” campaign.
AP Says, “Illegal Immigrant” No More via Richard Prince/Maynard Institute
Enough! Let’s Drop the I-Word—It’s Hate Speech via Colorlines.org
Bonus: Drop the “I” Word Campaign Ad
