Biracial and Multiracial Inclusive Language (New Resolution)

Rationale

We live in an ever changing global community with a diversity of multi-racial identities where racial ethnic identification is not limited to one category; and much of the world base identity on ethnic nationality rather than racial ethnic categories. The United Nations and countries other than the U.S. have varying racial classifications; and the inclusion and naming of persons with more than one racial or ethnic identity gives visibility to people who often are excluded. In spite of our faith, many of our own forms within our church are exclusive requiring the growing population of biracial/multiracial people to choose between identity or another, by requiring people to identify themselves by selecting only one of the six dominant racial options: Asian, Black, Euro-American, Hispanic/Latino(a), Native American, and Pacific Islander; 

Action

Therefore, be it resolved, that The United Methodist Church expand its inclusive language in all aspects of the church to include biracial/multiracial persons by offering racial identification options that are not limiting but embracing of persons with more than one racial or ethnic background.

Comments

To share your comments about this legislation, please email GCORR at info@gcorr.org

Downloadable PDF

Use Adobe Reader to download and print Biracial and Multiracial Inclusive Language