Kamal Ghorui
“MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+” became a topic for debate after being coined by a Member of Canadian Parliament in recent times. The usage of such terms by parliamentarians and their possible influence on public relations has brought up many questions among people. The debate has also received attention following Elon Musk’s response to the usage of the term. Overall, the debate is a result of the conflict between inclusivity and clarity in the sphere of public relations, especially when speaking about such serious problems as violence against certain communities in Canada.
What does ‘MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+’ mean
The term “MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+” refers to “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and more”. The term was built on the popular acronym “MMIWG” that has been traditionally used in Canada to draw attention to the problem of violence against Indigenous women and girls.The problem of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls has been recognised as “a Canadian genocide” by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. In their concluding report entitled “Reclaiming Power and Place,” they noted that violence disproportionately impacts Indigenous women and gender diverse people.The term’s extension to “2SLGBTQQIA+” can be viewed as an attempt to account for the needs of Two-Spirit and gender diverse peoples who experience the same challenges as Indigenous women and girls.
Why the acronym sparked an open debate: Elon Musk’s comment
Usage of such a lengthy acronym has been met with controversy. Opponents believe that excessively complicated language may alienate people and reduce the seriousness of the issue. Proponents, on the other hand, emphasise the need for inclusive language to draw attention to and raise awareness about the issue.Canadian lawmakers and activists have resorted to using expanded vocabulary to accommodate diverse members of the Indigenous population. The Canadian government acknowledges that members of the Indigenous LGBTQ+ community may be discriminated against in intersecting ways, leading to increased vulnerability.Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, commented on the long acronym via an X post. Musk’s reaction was met with both praise and opposition.
Understanding the bigger issue
However, as per the International Indigenous Policy Journal, beyond all these disagreements regarding terminology, there is a much more profound and alarming problem of continuous violence directed at Indigenous communities in Canada. The findings gathered by the inquiry prove the existence of structural flaws in policing, justice systems, and social services.Persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are at the core of Canada’s disturbing rates of violence. Thus, the problem goes far beyond discussions about terminology; it deals with overcoming centuries-old oppression and discrimination.Therefore, although arguments will arise regarding acronyms used in Canada, it is crucial to emphasise that professionals encourage people to pay attention to what is really important in this situation.
