As the founder of a communications agency focused on social justice, I’ve grown particularly aware of the profound importance and impact of the words and language used to represent various demographics. This fact has been illuminated over the past year and a half, due to the racial reckoning that was launched with the murder of George Floyd. When I first entered the public relations sector two decades ago, long before diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) had become part of our daily lexicon, there was often confusion about how to speak about people of color, underrepresented populations, and efforts towards inclusion. The tides are not so much turning yet as they are churning, and we as a sector continue to struggle TO UNDERSTAND and TO EVOLVE the language that we use.
I approached the Institute for Public Relations to conduct this survey on the use of institutional language, knowing that how people communicate is the literal foundation of how institutional cultures are created and sustained. Language is powerful — it shapes our reality and perceptions. It’s doubly now relevant now, as the crucial role of communicators in revealing and combating systemic oppression has been in sharper focus. As a communications expert, I feel strongly that our industry has a responsibility to take a leadership role in reflecting the importance of the use of language and how it relates to social justice and the creation of ecosystems that hold DEI principles and most essentially, practices, at their core. It makes sense that we would be gatekeepers pushing for evolution in how we communicate with colleagues and external stakeholders. My agency is actively involved in partnering with companies to create lexicons reflective of their aspirational values.
Before we can lead that charge, though, we need to gain insight into the current perceptions and use of language in our ranks. This survey sought to learn more about how the PR industry views its respective efforts to talk about DEI issues internally and externally and the perceptions around the impact of language. Lack of clarity around language plays into power dynamics — perpetuating and even exacerbating inequity in the workplace and roadblocking authentic inclusivity. Strategic attention to the use of language and creating clarity and consistency amongst how PR professionals are using it will no doubt help propel the mission. Communications professionals are in a unique position of possible leadership for this reason. Let’s view this survey as a jumping-off point.
Regards,
Vanessa Wakeman
Founder & CEO, The Wakeman Agency
