The list of harmful terms, and the replacement terms that are displayed in Blacklight, is maintained in the Github change_the_subject repository.
These are subject terms used in the Library's Alma bibliographic database and have been identified as harmful terms. The replacement terms are used instead to display in the Library's Blacklight public catalog.
Terms | Replacement | Rationale |
Illegal aliens | Undocumented immigrants | The term immigrant or undocumented/unauthorized immigrants are the terms LoC proposed as replacements for illegal aliens and other uses of the word aliens in LCSH. (Update: this term has been removed from the Alma catalog and replaced with "Noncitizens" and "Illegal immigration".) |
Women illegal aliens | Women undocumented immigrants | The term immigrant or undocumented/unauthorized immigrants are the terms LoC proposed as replacements for illegal aliens and other uses of the word aliens in LCSH. (Update: this term has been removed from the Alma catalog and replaced with "Women noncitizens" and "Illegal immigration".) |
Illegal aliens in literature | Undocumented immigrants in literature | The term immigrant or undocumented/unauthorized immigrants are the terms LoC proposed as replacements for illegal aliens and other uses of the word aliens in LCSH. (Update: this term has been removed from the Alma catalog and replaced with "Noncitizens in literature" and "Illegal immigration in literature".) |
Children of illegal aliens | Children of undocumented immigrants | The term immigrant or undocumented/unauthorized immigrants are the terms LoC proposed as replacements for illegal aliens and other uses of the word aliens in LCSH. (Update: this term has been removed from the Alma catalog and replaced with "Children of noncitizens".) |
Illegal immigration | Undocumented immigrants | The term immigrant or undocumented/unauthorized immigrants are the terms LoC proposed as replacements for illegal aliens and other uses of the word aliens in LCSH. |
Alien criminals | Noncitizen criminals | The term Noncitizens is the term LoC proposed as replacements for aliens and other uses of the word alien in LCSH. |
Aliens | Noncitizens | The term Noncitizens is the term LoC proposed as replacements for aliens and other uses of the word alien in LCSH. |
Aliens in art | Noncitizens in art | The term Noncitizens is the term LoC proposed as replacements for aliens and other uses of the word alien in LCSH. |
Aliens in literature | Noncitizens in literature | The term Noncitizens is the term LoC proposed as replacements for aliens and other uses of the word alien in LCSH. |
Aliens in mass media | Noncitizens in mass media | The term Noncitizens is the term LoC proposed as replacements for aliens and other uses of the word alien in LCSH. |
Church work with aliens | Church work with noncitizens | The term Noncitizens is the term LoC proposed as replacements for aliens and other uses of the word alien in LCSH. |
Officials and employees, Alien | Officials and employees, Noncitizen | The term Noncitizens is the term LoC proposed as replacements for aliens and other uses of the word alien in LCSH. |
Aliens (Greek law) | Noncitizens (Greek law) | The term Noncitizens is the term LoC proposed as replacements for aliens and other uses of the word alien in LCSH. |
Aliens (Roman law) | Noncitizens (Roman law) | The term Noncitizens is the term LoC proposed as replacements for aliens and other uses of the word alien in LCSH. |
Child slaves | Enslaved children | In addition to its usage by TRLN, this term falls in line with recommendations included in the community-sourced document P. Gabrielle Foreman, et al. \"Writing about Slavery/Teaching About Slavery: This Might Help\" and Archives for Black Lives in Philadelphia Anti-Racist Description Resources. |
Indian slaves | Enslaved Indigenous peoples | In addition to its usage by TRLN, this term falls in line with recommendations included in the community-sourced document P. Gabrielle Foreman, et al. \"Writing about Slavery/Teaching About Slavery: This Might Help.\" Capitalization of \"Indigenous\" appears to be preferred by those from Indigenous communities, for example see https://www.lib.sfu.ca/about/branches-depts/slc/writing/inclusive-antiracist-writing/bipoc and https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/indigenous-peoples-terminology-guidelines-for-usage. As this is a broad term, when possible, one should include the name of the community(ies) or nation(s) of the people in the record. |
Older slaves | Enslaved older people | The use of \"enslaved\" falls in line with recommendations included in the community-sourced document P. Gabrielle Foreman, et al. \"Writing about Slavery/Teaching About Slavery: This Might Help\" and Archives for Black Lives in Philadelphia Anti-Racist Description Resources. \"Older people\" is the current LC preferred term: https://id.loc.gov/search/?q=memberOf:http://id.loc.gov/authorities/demographicTerms/collection_LCDGT_Age. |
Slaves | Enslaved persons | In addition to its usage by TRLN, this term falls in line with recommendations included in the community-sourced document P. Gabrielle Foreman, et al. \"Writing about Slavery/Teaching About Slavery: This Might Help\" and Archives for Black Lives in Philadelphia Anti-Racist Description Resources. |
Women slaves | Enslaved women | In addition to its usage by TRLN, this term falls in line with recommendations included in the community-sourced document P. Gabrielle Foreman, et al. \"Writing about Slavery/Teaching About Slavery: This Might Help\" and Archives for Black Lives in Philadelphia Anti-Racist Description Resources. |
East Indians | Indians (India) | "East Indians" is anachronistic and confusing to researchers. "East" is not used with "Indians" by the people who live in India, people who once lived in India, or even by the former colonizers of India at this point in time. |
Indians | Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere | Using the scope note from the LCSH term, rather than the term \"Indians,\" is more accurate and less offensive for so many people under this large geographical umbrella." |
Indians of Central America | Indigenous peoples of Central America | This term is used by TRLN; according to our research, this terminology is preferred and widely regarded as a more inclusive term. It is important to include the geographic region in the subject term when possible, as there are Indigenous peoples throughout the world. When possible, it is respectful to also include the name of the community(ies) or nation(s) of the people in the record, for example "Chumash," "Tonkawa," "Rapa Nui," "Huetar." |
Indians of Mexico | Indigenous peoples of Mexico | This term is used by TRLN; according to our research, this terminology is preferred and widely regarded as a more inclusive term. It is important to include the geographic region in the subject term when possible, as there are Indigenous peoples throughout the world. When possible, it is respectful to also include the name of the community(ies) or nation(s) of the people in the record, for example "Chumash," "Tonkawa," "Rapa Nui," "Huetar. |
Indians of North America | Indigenous peoples of North America | This term is used by TRLN; according to our research, this terminology is preferred and widely regarded as a more inclusive term. It is important to include the geographic region in the subject term when possible, as there are Indigenous peoples throughout the world. When possible, it is respectful to also include the name of the community(ies) or nation(s) of the people in the record, for example "Chumash," "Tonkawa," "Rapa Nui," "Huetar. |
Indians of South America | Indigenous peoples of South America | This term is used by TRLN; according to our research, this terminology is preferred and widely regarded as a more inclusive term. It is important to include the geographic region in the subject term when possible, as there are Indigenous peoples throughout the world. When possible, it is respectful to also include the name of the community(ies) or nation(s) of the people in the record, for example "Chumash," "Tonkawa," "Rapa Nui," "Huetar. |
Indians of the West Indies | Indigenous peoples of West Indies | This term is used by TRLN; according to our research, this terminology is preferred and widely regarded as a more inclusive term. It is important to include the geographic region in the subject term when possible, as there are Indigenous peoples throughout the world. When possible, it is respectful to also include the name of the community(ies) or nation(s) of the people in the record, for example "Chumash," "Tonkawa," "Rapa Nui," "Huetar. |
Gender identity disorders | Gender dysphoria | “Gender identity disorder" was removed from the DSM -- the primary diagnostic manual used by psychiatric and psychological professionals in the U.S. -- nearly a decade ago, and replaced with "Gender dysphoria.” |
Gender identity disorders in children | Gender dysphoria in children | Gender identity disorder" was removed from the DSM -- the primary diagnostic manual used by psychiatric and psychological professionals in the U.S. -- nearly a decade ago, and replaced with "Gender dysphoria |
Gender identity disorders in adolescence | Gender dysphoria in adolescence | Gender identity disorder" was removed from the DSM -- the primary diagnostic manual used by psychiatric and psychological professionals in the U.S. -- nearly a decade ago, and replaced with "Gender dysphoria |