New York, N.Y. — The Stewardship Report, published by the J. Luce Foundation and based in New York City, emphasizes the critical importance of using accurate and fair terminology when describing our world — including global conflicts — to reflect a humanist and globalist worldview. This approach seeks to clarify the realities behind widely used but often misleading terms in international discourse.
The Stewardship Report — like The New York Times, Washington Post and National Public Radio (NPR) — uses language focused on accuracy, inclusivity, and sensitivity, especially regarding race, ethnicity, political labeling, and social identities.
Below are key examples:
| Common Term | Recommended Term | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Russian-Ukraine War | Russian invasion of Ukraine | Identifies Russia as the aggressor and Ukraine as the victim, per international law. |
| China | People’s Republic of China or Republic of China | Distinguishes between Mainland China (PRC) and Taiwan (ROC) to respect sovereignty claims. |
| Israel-Hamas War | Israeli invasion of Palestine | Highlights Palestinian perspectives and the illegal occupation under international law. |
| Third World | Global South | Avoids outdated, pejorative connotations; emphasizes geographic and economic realities. |
| Conservative | Far-right, Christian nationalist, or fascist | Specifies ideologies for clarity, avoiding broad generalizations. |
| Evangelical | Right-wing Christian groups, racist | Clarifies political alignment without implying minority status or bias. |
| Populists (e.g., Warren, Ocasio-Cortez, Trump) | Progressive or demagogue | Differentiates inclusive reformists from authoritarian figures. |
| Race/Ethnicity (e.g., Black, Latino/a/x) | Black, Indigenous, Latino/a/x | Shows respect for cultural identities, per modern style guides. |
| Italian-American | Italian American | Removes hyphen to reject “hyphenated Americanism” and affirm unified identity. |
| Disabled person | Person with a disability | Centers personhood, aligning with disability advocacy standards. |
Reframing the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict
The report insists that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine should be referred to as the “Russian invasion of Ukraine” rather than the “Russian-Ukraine War.” This distinction is crucial as it identifies Russia as the aggressor and Ukraine as the victim of an invasion, rather than framing it as a mutual war or crisis. The term “Russian invasion” aligns with international recognition of Ukraine’s sovereignty and the illegal nature of Russia’s military actions, which began with a large-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a “special military operation.” This invasion has been widely condemned as an act of aggression, with numerous countries imposing sanctions on Russia and providing aid to Ukraine.
Clarifying the Two Chinas
The report also clarifies the terminology around China, distinguishing between the People’s Republic of China (PRC), commonly referred to as Mainland China, and the Republic of China (ROC), which governs Taiwan. This distinction is important because the PRC is a one-party communist state established in 1949, while the ROC is a multi-party democracy that retreated to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War. The PRC claims Taiwan as a province under its “One China Principle,” refusing to recognize the ROC as a legitimate state, which complicates international diplomatic relations. The Stewardship Report advocates for precise use of these terms to avoid confusion and reflect the political realities and sovereignty claims of each entity.
Reframing the Israel-Hamas Conflict
Regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the report prefers the term “Israeli invasion of Palestine” over the more neutral “Israel-Hamas War.” This terminology highlights the perspective of Palestinians who view Israeli military actions as invasions or occupations, particularly in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. The report draws attention to the illegal nature of Israeli occupation under international law, which has persisted since the 1967 Six-Day War. It also references the Nakba, the 1948 catastrophe for Palestinians involving displacement and loss of homes, which remains a central point of historical grievance. The use of “invasion” underscores the power imbalance and the ongoing control Israel exerts over Palestinian territories, including military incursions and settlement expansions3.
Why Words Matter
The Stewardship Report’s commitment to precise terminology is rooted in the belief that language shapes perception and policy. Using terms like “Russian invasion” instead of “conflict” or “war” prevents the dilution of responsibility and clarifies the nature of aggression. Similarly, distinguishing between the PRC and ROC respects the complex political realities in East Asia, while framing the Israeli-Palestinian situation in terms of invasion and occupation brings attention to issues of sovereignty and human rights.
This approach aligns with efforts by organizations such as the Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security and the Institute of Mass Information, which have developed glossaries to promote accurate language about the Russo-Ukrainian war, emphasizing terms like “illegal annexation,” “temporarily occupied territories,” and “Russian occupation administration” to describe Russia’s actions and control in Ukraine.
In a world where geopolitical narratives are often contested and manipulated, the Stewardship Report’s insistence on fair and precise terminology serves as a reminder that words are not neutral. They carry weight and influence how conflicts are understood and addressed globally. By adopting this terminology, media, policymakers, and the public can engage with these complex issues more honestly and constructively.
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