Olubukola Ayodele, Breast Cancer Lead at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“I was having a conversation recently about the terms ethnic minority and Global Majority. It reminded me that language matters, especially in cancer care, research, and leadership.
Lately, you may have seen the term Global Majority used instead of ethnic minority or BAME. This is more than a rebrand. It is a deliberate shift in perspective.
The term, coined by Rosemary Campbell-Stephens (We/Us) MBE, reminds us of a simple truth. People racialised as minorities in the UK actually make up most of the world’s population. Framing them as a minority can unintentionally centre whiteness as the default. ‘Global Majority’ seeks to challenge that.
Why are some organisations adopting it?
- It moves away from deficit language and ‘othering’.
- It reflects global demographics more accurately.
- It challenges white-centric reference points in policy, academia, and healthcare.
- It responds to concerns about the term BAME, which many felt grouped together very different experiences.
But this is where nuance matters.
Recent evidence suggests many people described by these labels are unfamiliar with the term ‘Global Majority’ or do not identify with it. Some prefer ‘ethnic minority’. Others prefer more specific descriptions. Many dislike umbrella terms altogether.
And perhaps that tells us something important.
- Context matters
- Specificity matters
- Personal preference matters
In healthcare and research, I often say this:
If you can be specific, be specific.
- Nigerian
- Jamaican
- Indian
- Pakistani
These descriptions often tell us far more than broad labels such as ‘Black’ or ‘South Asian’. Broad categories can sometimes hide important differences in culture, experience, health outcomes, and identity.
So where does that leave us?
‘Global Majority’ is a powerful term when discussing systems, power, representation, and structural inequities. But it should not be imposed or assumed.
Equity work is not simply about finding the ‘right’ language. It is about listening, respecting preferences, and ensuring people feel seen.
What term do you use in your work, and why?
Does it depend on the setting, the audience, or the purpose?
I would be interested to hear your thoughts.
It’s still ethnic minority cancer awareness month, so don’t forget to register for the webinar organised by Cancer Conversations CIC on the 19th of July at 4pm.”
Other articles featuring Olubukola Ayodele on OncoDaily.