"Those people"

I ask that we all stop for a second and think about what we want to say, or mean to say, when we refer to community members as “Those People”. It happens everywhere, not just here in New Orleans. We use these terms loosely when talking about a marginalized group or a minority group of people. We say things like “look what they have done,” “those people are taking jobs,” “those people are looters,” or “we need to help these people.” Using these generalizations removes the responsibility of including marginalized people from social and political systems. Using “those people” when referring to a group of immigrant workers creates a greater separation and lack of responsibility. Immigrant workers are contributors to our economy, help build our cities’ infrastructure, and add diversity to our society. Immigrant workers are not aliens from another planet. They are human beings with families and stories to tell. They are talented craftsman and artists. Their body is a tool chest that deserves care and protection.
When referring to groups of marginalized people, and any peoples for that matter, we need to make a more conscious effort in using respectful inclusive terms. What goes around comes around; one day we, ourselves, may be “those people.”