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There are many questions about when to capitalize race. So, we looked up the top questions people ask via Google (thanks, ahrefs!). If you think the answer is easy (either yes or no to all), read on. There’s more nuance to this.
Here are the top 7+ questions people Google about when to capitalize race.
Is Black capitalized?
The most-searched question about capitalizing race is: “is black capitalized?” (there are many variations on this question listed below).
So, do you capitalize Black when referring to race?
Multiple style guides including the Associated Press and the American Psychological Association (APA) changed their guidelines in 2020 to capitalize the “b” in Black. John Daniszewski, the AP’s vice president of standards said in June:
“AP’s style is now to capitalize Black in a racial, ethnic or cultural sense, conveying an essential and shared sense of history, identity and community among people who identify as Black, including those in the African diaspora and within Africa. The lowercase black is a color, not a person.”
The APA style guide also says the following to help answer the question of whether you capitalize Black and White:
Racial and ethnic groups are designated by proper nouns and are capitalized. Therefore, use “Black” and “White” instead of “black” and “white” (do not use colors to refer to other human groups; doing so is considered pejorative)
I could not find any updates to “is black capitalized when referring to race — MLA”. As of 2016, MLA there’s no publication on whether to use a capital B when referring to “Black people”.
Another question…”Do you capitalize African American?” The answer is also yes. APA style says:
“Racial and ethnic groups are designated by proper nouns and are capitalized.”
Google search volume: is black capitalized (1,200); do you capitalize black (500); is black people capitalized (100); do you capitalize African American (150); is black capitalized when referring to race (60)
Is Hispanic capitalized?
Another highly-searched question “Is Hispanic capitalized”. Because Hispanic is a type of race or ethnic group, it should be capitalized.
The Washington Post updated its writing style changes for racial and ethnic identifiers in July 2020. So, in this update they define Hispanic as:
“Hispanic refers to people who speak Spanish and/or are descended from Spanish-speaking populations. Latino and Latina refer to people who are from or descended from people from Latin America. Use the gender neutral Latinx if someone identifies that way. This category includes Spaniard, Chicano and Puerto Rican, as well as other national identifiers.”
Note that they do not capitalize Hispanic in their definition.
Google search volume: is Hispanic Capitalized (900); is Hispanic capitalized in a sentence (60); is the word Hispanic capitalized (30); is Hispanic capitalized APA (10)
Is Asian capitalized?
Are you wondering, “Is Asian capitalized?” Asian is another example of a word that you should always capitalize. So, popular digital writing assistant Grammarly says:
“You should capitalize the names of countries, nationalities, and languages because they are proper nouns”
So, do you capitalize “Asian?” Yes, because it refers to a group of people in a specific ethnic group.
Google search volume: is Asian capitalized (700); is Asian American capitalized (30); is Asian always capitalized (10)
Is Latino capitalized?
Latino or Latina is sometimes the preference in place of Hispanic. But do you capitalize Latino? A style guide from the University of California Santa Cruz says yes:
“Use “Latino” (or “Latina” for one or more female individuals) to refer to people of Latin American descent who live in the U.S. (those living in Latin America are “Latin Americans”). Latin America includes Mexico, Central America, and South America; it also includes Brazil (where Portuguese is spoken). “Latino” is always capitalized.”
Latinx is a newer term that is more inclusive. So, when you capitalize race, should you capitalize Latinx? Yes, just like Latino or Latina, you should capitalize Latinx. An article in Oprah Magazine says you capitalize it in English but not in Spanish because the word “Latinx” is a proper noun that refers to a group of people.
Google search volume: is Latino capitalized (500); is Latinx capitalized (40)
Is “people of color” capitalized?
“Do you capitalize people of color?” This term describes a group of people who are not white. However, it is not the name of an official race or ethnic group. So, for this reason, publications like the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times do not capitalize “people of color.”
The term people of color is also often put in quotes like this”people of color”.
Google search volume: is people of color capitalized (350); do you capitalize people of color (50)
Is white capitalized?
“Do you capitalize white as a race?” The questions around capitalizing white when referring to race have mixed answers. Some style guides do not capitalize white, while others recommend doing so. The Center for the Study of Social Policy says:
“In addition to capitalizing Black, CSSP has also made the decision to capitalize White. We will do this when referring to people who are racialized as White in the United States, including those who identify with ethnicities and nationalities that can be traced back to Europe. To not name “White” as a race is, in fact, an anti-Black act which frames Whiteness as both neutral and the standard.”
The Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) has a different view on why they capitalize Black, but not white. CJR says:
“White carries a different set of meanings; capitalizing the word in this context risks following the lead of white supremacists.”
The APA capitalization of race says to capitalize White, but the Associated Press says the opposite. The AP’s statement on their decision says:
“We agree that white people’s skin color plays into systemic inequalities and injustices, and we want our journalism to robustly explore those problems. But capitalizing the term white, as is done by white supremacists, risks subtly conveying legitimacy to such beliefs.”
Google search volume: is white capitalized (350); do you capitalize white as a race (100); is white capitalized when referring to race (50)
Do you capitalize Caucasian?
“Should caucasian be capitalized?” is a commonly asked question on Google. In the APA style guide, there’s no mention of whether you should capitalize caucasian. But the guide does say:
“The term “Caucasian” is considered offensive to some cultures; use “White” or “European American” instead for people of European descent living in North America, or be more specific by providing the nation of origin.”
Captializemytitle.com says we should capitalize Caucasian:
“The rules of the English language say that we should always capitalize nouns and adjectives referring to language, race, nationality, and tribe.”
Do you capitalize Native American?
This also relates to the question, “do you capitalize ethnicities?”. Using the APA style as a reference, you should capitalize ethnicities, incuding Native American when you think to capitalize race.
Is Indigenous capitalized?
“Is Indigenous capitalized?” An article from sapiens.org says:
“The Associated Press Stylebook and The Chicago Manual of Style do not capitalize the term Indigenous when it is used to refer to people. But SAPIENS does.”
SAPIENS says by capitalizing Indigenous:
“It articulates and identifies a group of political and historical communities, compared to the lower case “i,” which can refer to anyone.”
A guide from Indigenous Corporation Traning Inc. also gives advice on when to capitalize Indigenous:
“Always capitalize Indigenous, Aboriginal, First Nation, Inuit, Métis as a sign of respect the same way that English, French and Spanish etc are capitalized.”
Google search volume: is indigenous capitalized (250); capitalize indigenous (100); do you capitalize indigenous (50); when to capitalize indigenous (10); is indigenous people capitalized (5)
Do you capitalize ethnic groups? [A common question in the UK]
In the UK, “race” is replaced by “ethnic groups” or “ethnicity”. The UK government style guide for “Writing about ethnicity” explains when to capitalise ethnic groups. The guide says:
“We capitalise all ethnic groups. For example, Asian, Black, Mixed, White, Gypsy, Irish Traveller, and Other.”
Are Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander capitalized?
According to Hawaii Tourism Authority – Style and Resource Guide, you should capitalize N = Native Hawaiian. Meanwhile, always capitalize Native Hawaiians and Alaska Natives to differentiate descendants of Indigenous groups from people who were born there, as recommended by the Tribal-Related Guidance for USGS Authors
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and other agencies and organizations suggest using “Native Hawaiian” for all persons of Hawaiian ancestry regardless of blood quantum. And “native Hawaiian” for those with 50% or more Hawaiian blood. Different designations come into play because of the different levels of entitlements and benefits accorded by one’s blood quantum.
Meanwhile, the Editorial Style Guide of the University of Oregon recommended capitalizing the names of racial, tribal, and other groups of people, including Pacific Islanders. Since ethnicity can be a sensitive subject, the guide suggests speaking to the person involved to determine their preferred racial reference to determine whether to capitalize race.
AP Style: Use “Hawaiian/Hawaiians” only for members of the ethnic group indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands. You can also call them Native Hawaiians or Hawaii’s Indigenous people.
Chicago Manual of Style – You usually capitalize acronyms and initialisms about race and ethnicity.
APA Style – Racial and ethnic groups, including Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians, are designated and capitalized using proper nouns.
Why Capitalization Matters
The decision of when to capitalize race is more than just grammar. It goes beyond language rules and affects social values, respect, and identity.
Capitalization means respecting and acknowledging other racial groups. For example, capitalizing “Black” highlights the shared cultural and historical identity of Black people, while using lowercase reduces it to a mere descriptor. Standardizing such practices helps language development align with inclusivity and equality.
You also empower marginalized groups and foster visibility. Capitalizing “Indigenous” or “Latinx” helps validate these identities in written language.
Capitalization forces society to face implicit biases in how language is used to perpetuate systemic inequality. For example, decisions around capitalizing “White” versus “Black” challenge the notion of Whiteness as a default or neutral standard.
Consistent capitalization practices demonstrate cultural competence and help promote inclusive communication. Organizations and businesses that adopt these practices build trust and prove their commitment to diversity and equality.
Practical Writing Tips for When to Capitalize Race
Many recruiters often feel uncertain about why and when to capitalize racial and ethnic words and phrases. To address this confusion, here’s what you need to do:
1. Capitalize racial and ethnic terms when referring to identity, community, or culture.
Ex: “The Black community has made significant contributions to art and culture.”
2. Avoid capitalizing generic terms unrelated to race, such as “people of color” (unless style guides or the organization specifically request it).
3. Depending on your audience and goals, follow a style guide like the AP, APA, or Chicago Manual of Style.
4. Use writing assistants like Grammarly to enforce the correct capitalization.
Make sure to cross-check their suggestions with the reputable style guides mentioned above.
5. To make your overall writing more inclusive, use tools like Ongig. It will scan your job descriptions for biased words and recommend more inclusive language.
For example, instead of defaulting to generalizations (e.g., “Asians”), specify subgroups where relevant (e.g., “East Asians” or “South Asians”).
Respect personal preferences where possible, such as choosing “Latino/a” or “Latinx” based on how an individual identifies.
6. When in doubt, capitalize racial or ethnic terms to show respect and avoid appearing dismissive. It’s better to over-capitalize in a draft than to risk offense.
Why Capitalize Race: The Importance of Consistency in Writing
Why Consistency Matters When You Capitalize Race
When it comes to writing about racial identity, consistency is key. Whether you’re a journalist, an academic, or a business professional, using precise language ensures clarity and respect. Inconsistent capitalization—such as switching between “Black Americans” and “black Americans” or using “white lowercase” in one sentence but “White” in another—can cause confusion. It can also signal a lack of inclusion or thoughtfulness.
Avoiding Confusion and Misinterpretation When You Capitalize Race
Many news organizations, like The New York Times and NBC News, have updated their diversity style guide to reflect the evolving conversation around race. Yet, there is still considerable disagreement among scholars, journalists, and the public. Some argue that capitalizing “Black” acknowledges a shared culture and historical experience of discrimination, while others feel that capitalizing “White” may unintentionally legitimize white nationalists and white supremacy.
The Seattle Times and Chicago Sun-Times were among the first news outlets to adopt the capitalization of “Black” to reflect its cultural references and long-standing capitalization in Black scholarship. At the same time, Kwame Anthony Appiah and other black scholars have debated how whiteness functions in political institutions and whether “White” should also be capitalized to highlight its role as a social construct rather than a default.
Capitalize Race: How Inconsistency Affects Race-Related Coverage
A lack of inclusion in language can shape perceptions. For example, using a capital letter for “Black” but keeping “white lowercase” can suggest a hierarchy—whether intentional or not. On the other hand, some argue that capitalizing “White” could obscure white institutions’ involvement in systemic inequities. These inconsistencies can impact race-related coverage and fuel debates in letter-writing campaigns and political institutions alike.
The Role of News Organizations and Style Guides in Knowing When to Capitalize Race
Major news organizations like The New York Times and NBC News have changed their approach following recent events and ongoing discussions of race. Dean Baquet, former executive editor of The New York Times, explained that their decision to capitalize “Black” came after recognizing it as a particular community with cultural commonalities similar to Hispanic Americans or people of African ancestry. However, there is less support for capitalizing “White” due to concerns about how it might be used by groups promoting white supremacy.
Additionally, the National Association of Black Journalists and other organizations have provided guidance to help challenging journalists navigate racial issues with thoughtful consideration. Many also advocate for using a diversity style guide that remains consistent across all writing. Thus, ensuring that terms related to racial identities and the context of race are handled with care.
Finding a Balanced Approach When You Capitalize Race
While there is no universal rule, consistency should always be the goal. Whether you follow The New York Times, Chicago Sun-Times, or a different style guide, being deliberate about capitalization choices helps writers communicate with others of diverse backgrounds in a way that is both respectful and clear. Simple style questions like whether to capitalize race may seem minor. However, they carry significant weight in the broader conversation about racial justice and representation.
Therefore, by maintaining a consistent approach, we acknowledge the shared experience of discrimination that has shaped people of African descent and the original inhabitants of a place, while avoiding broad generalizations that diminish specific situations. So, the key is to approach these decisions with nuance, keeping in mind both historical context and contemporary racial identity discussions across different parts of the world.
WHY I WROTE THIS
Our mission here at Ongig is to transform your job descriptions to attract top-tier and diverse talent. Words matter. So, our Text Analyzer software analyzes every word of your job descriptions to ensure they are inclusive to everyone.
Shout-outs
- Why Capitalize “Indigenous”? (by Christine Weeber)
- Race and Ethnic Identity (by APA Style Guide)
- AP changes writing style to capitalize ″b″ in Black (by The Associated Press)
- Why we will lowercase white (by John Daniszewski)
- The Washington Post announces writing style changes for racial and ethnic identifiers (by Washington Post)
- Recognizing Race in Language: Why We Capitalize “Black” and “White” (by
- Why we capitalize ‘Black’ (and not ‘white’) (by Mike Laws)
- AP style is now to capitalize Black (and Indigenous) (by Sarah Scire)
- Do You Capitalize the Names of Countries, Nationalities, and Languages? (by Grammarly)
- Editorial Style Guide (by UC Santa Cruz)
- What Does “Latinx” Mean, Exactly? (by Irina Gonzalez)
- Indigenous Peoples terminology guidelines for usage (by Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.)
- Writing about ethnicity style guide (by GOV.UK)
- Racial and Ethnic Identity (by APA Style Guide)
- Is Caucasian Capitalized? (by Capitalize My Title)
- Capitalization in APA, Chicago, MLA, and AP (by Proofreadingpal)
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Racial and Ethnic Identity – APA Style
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AP Stylebook’s most popular style tips – AP Stylebook Style and Resource Guide – Hawaii Tourism Authority Editorial Style Guide – University of Oregon Communications
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OHA Databook – Office of Hawaiian Affairs
