Whittier 360 News Network Style Guide: Terminology for U.S. Citizens and Ethnic Identity
Effective immediately, Whittier 360 News Network and aligned media will adhere to the following terminology guidelines to ensure clarity, historical accuracy, and consistency in reporting.
I. Definition of "American"
The term "American" will be used exclusively in an ethnological sense to refer to biological descendants of the people who founded the United States, fought in the Eastern United States to liberate the 13 colonies from British rule, and assisted in ratifying the Constitution.
U.S. citizens who do not fit this definition will be described using precise terminology reflecting their heritage and citizenship.
II. Terminology for U.S. Citizens of Foreign Descent
1. "U.S.-Born [Ethnic/National Background]"
This term applies to the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of immigrants who were born in the United States.
Examples:
A U.S.-born Korean
A U.S.-born Italian
A U.S.-born Nigerian
This phrasing ensures clarity about both their U.S. citizenship and their non-American ethnic heritage.
2. "U.S. Citizen of [Foreign Descent]" (CoFD)
For naturalized immigrants and their first-generation U.S.-born children, the preferred phrasing will be:
Examples:
A U.S. citizen of Japanese descent
A U.S. citizen of German descent
A U.S. citizen of Filipino descent
In cases where general references are needed, the term "CoFD" (Citizen of Foreign Descent) may be used in place of repeated references.
Example of CoFD Usage:
A CoFD serving in the U.S. Senate recently introduced a bill on trade relations.
3. Use of Hyphenated Identity ("Mixed Background" Only)
Hyphenated identities (e.g., "Mexican-American" or "Chinese-American") will be reserved exclusively for individuals of actual mixed race, mixed ethnicity, or mixed ancestral background.
Examples:
An Irish-Japanese U.S. citizen (Mixed Ethnicity)
A Black-Mexican U.S. citizen (Mixed Race)
A Scottish-Nigerian U.S. citizen (Mixed Ancestry)
Individuals with a singular ethnic background will not be described using a hyphenated identity. Instead, "U.S.-born [ethnic background]" or "U.S. citizen of [foreign descent]" will be used as appropriate.
III. Application in Reporting
Whittier 360 News Network will apply these terms in all publications to reinforce historical accuracy and eliminate ambiguity:
Ethnic Americans will be referred to as Americans.
Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of immigrants will be described as "U.S.-born [ethnic/national group]."
Immigrants and their first-generation U.S.-born children will be described as "U.S. citizens of [ethnic/national] descent" (CoFD).
Hyphenated identities will be reserved for individuals of mixed backgrounds.
This approach maintains journalistic integrity while recognizing the diversity of U.S. citizens without diluting the distinct identity of ethnic Americans as the descendants of the nation’s founders.
This style guide is final and will be implemented immediately across all Whittier 360 News Network platforms and aligned media.
Comments