Inclusive Language: A Guide

Berklee is committed to supporting an educational atmosphere built on the idea that creativity is driven by empathy, openness, diversity, and inclusion. We seek to highlight the variety and interdependence of the diverse cultural traditions from which the music and performing arts that students explore originate. Founded on jazz and popular music rooted in the African cultural diaspora, Berklee’s history and focus on contemporary forms of music, theater, and dance compel us to bring that same level of inclusion to how we speak about our community.

Using the Guide

The following guide to using inclusive language should be viewed as a fluid resource rather than a list of static prescriptions, and as such, will be updated regularly to reflect that active approach. This guide is not a replacement for cultivating relationships and dialogue with students/colleagues, but the following tips, examples, and suggestions offer guidance in crafting language that places the human first.