EVEN Charter

The Even Charter sets out the principles, purpose, implementation approach, and governance model behind equitable naming.

Explore the foundational principles and articles of the EVEN Charter in a structured, readable format.

Preamble

The Even Charter heralds a revolutionary step in the 21st Century towards unity and respect for all. It seeks to dismantle outdated terminologies related to race that have perpetuated divisions and stereotypes. Antiquated references to colour, including labels such as "black," "white," "red," "yellow," and terms like "coloured," are not merely simplistic; they are burdened with historical and Western societal biases. Simple word association exercises unveil how these colours are often unevenly loaded with negative or positive connotations.

It’s time to embrace a change. The Even Charter promotes the use of language that celebrates individuals' unique cultures and origins, moving beyond superficial uneven colour labels. We should adopt even terms that resonate with people’s heritage, such as “African,” “European,” “Caribbean,” or “Asian,” fostering a richer and more respectful dialogue. Where reference to a person's skin tone is necessary, the Even Charter advocates the use of the EVEN Skin Tone Guide through the Even Code, providing a consistent and accurate means of describing skin tone independently of racial terminology.

Adopting this refined language enables us to recognise people for their individuality, not merely their skin colour, cultivating a society where everyone is treated with equal respect and consideration. The Even Charter leads us towards a more understanding and equitable society, encouraging the abandonment of divisive terminologies, replacing them with identities that are more even.

The founders of EVEN, an apolitical charity, recognise that equity encompasses multiple facets. The Even Charter is founded on the Equity Via Equal Naming principle of honouring individuality without perpetuating harmful naming paradigms. We recognise that human identity is multifaceted, shaped by cultural heritage, shared values, individual experiences, and geographical ethnicity. We acknowledge that the existing naming paradigm is rooted in establishing supremacy and division. Throughout history, colour-based terms such as "red people" for the indigenous peoples of the Americas and "yellow people" for individuals from East Asia have been used. Today, we reject such colour-based references as they are deemed inappropriate and disrespectful. This rejection does not diminish the recognition of their unique historical experiences and ongoing struggles.

Yet, equity remains an unfulfilled promise for many. Currently, the labels "white people" and "black people" persist, predominantly categorising individuals by skin colour. The term "black" often carries historical and systemic burdens, intertwined with negative connotations in language and culture, which can perpetuate inequality and hinder progress. Conversely, the term "white" frequently aligns with positive societal attributes, but its usage can inadvertently perpetuate divisions and obscure the rich diversity and unique histories within this group.

This is vividly illustrated through a simple word association exercise where participants are asked to respond with the first colour that comes to mind, either "black" or "white," when presented with words such as funeral, wedding, Christmas, Halloween, darkness, bright, dirty, pure, death, paradise. This exercise demonstrates how entrenched and pervasive these antiquated colour-based associations and biases are in the Western societal psyche. It is evident that this “black” and “white” colour-based classification is far from being even.

The Even Charter advocates for a departure from these outdated and uneven classifications based on references to colour. Bringing our understanding of race and ethnicity into the twenty-first century, fostering genuine equality. For "black people," this shift aims to dismantle linguistic barriers to equality, while fully acknowledging and respecting their historical and ongoing struggles. For "white people," adopting the Even Charter can foster a more nuanced understanding of their diverse identities and histories, promoting an inclusive and equitable societal framework that is more even.

In embracing the rejection of colour-based naming, we also acknowledge that if one were able to trace their lineage back to the first humans, most, if not all, humans are of mixed heritage or “mixed race”, challenging the inaccurate notion of pure 'black' or 'white' identities.

The Even Charter mandates that individuals be referred to equitably using a common naming convention based on their geographical ethnicity, which they identify with, as well as hyphenations of geographical identities. When there is a need to reference a person's skin tone, the Even Code should be used.

Our vision is for the world to adopt the Even Charter as a crucial step toward achieving genuine equity. We aspire to a future where future generations marvel at why we ever referred to people using colour-based names. In embracing the Even Charter, we reject simplistic, uneven, colour-based labels, choosing instead to honour the rich cultural tapestries of all individuals.

Andrew Hall and Luke Patterson
The Founders of The Even Charter

Part 1: Purpose

As the inaugural article of this charter, we affirm the fundamental tenet of EVEN: Equity via Equal Naming.

The Even Charter embarks on a 21st century perspective on the current outdated racial paradigm. We advocate moving beyond outdated, colour based labels that have historically fostered division and perpetuated inequality. By prioritising the identification of individuals based on their geographical identity rather than simplistic and reductive references to colour, the Even Charter champions a modern, equitable approach. Our commitment is to cultivate a global society that embraces and celebrates the rich mosaic of human identity, and does not deduce ethnicity to the name of a colour.

Terminology and Usage Key

To maintain clarity and precision in communication, we have established guidelines on how specific terms related to the Even Charter should be used in text. Here are the conventions that should be followed:

  • EVEN (All Caps): Acronym of Equity Via Equal Naming. Example: EVEN strives to promote equity through thoughtful naming conventions.
  • Even (Title Case): References the Even Charter as a proper noun. Example: The principles outlined in the Even Charter guide our approach to equitable naming practices.
  • even (Lowercase): This term is used as a verb, representing the act of applying the principles of Equity Via Equal Naming. Example: When naming a new organisation or initiative, it is important to even the naming conventions to ensure they are equitable and inclusive.

The purpose of EVEN is to foster genuine equity by promoting a nuanced and respectful approach to naming conventions. We seek to celebrate the richness of human identity while challenging historical injustices tied to references to colour, including colour-based names and stereotypes.

Promote understanding of the distinction between colour-based racial labels and self-identified ethnicity, encouraging more accurate and respectful descriptions of human identity.

Encouraging the use of diverse descriptors, including cultural names, nationality, and geographical ethnicity, to represent an individual's identity accurately.

The Even Charter recognises that within each ethnic group, a variety of physical characteristics, including skin tone and facial features, may be predominant within a particular ethnic group. However, the essence of belonging to an ethnic group extends beyond these physical markers. Rather, ethnic identity is defined by a rich array of attributes, including, but not limited to, a shared nation of origin, ancestry, traditions, language, history, society, religion, and experiences of social treatment.

In circumstances where a person’s ethnicity is requested, individuals should have the freedom to express their own self-identified ethnicity, rather than being restricted to predefined checkboxes.

Part 2: Objectives

Raise Awareness and Cultivate Understanding: We will conduct educational initiatives to raise awareness about the historical context of harmful naming practices and their impact on marginalised communities. Our efforts will foster a deeper understanding of diverse geographical identities and the importance of respectful representation.

Equitable Naming: EVEN will advocate for naming conventions that respect and celebrate diversity. We will encourage the use of multiple descriptors, allowing individuals to be identified by cultural heritage, nationality, and/or geographical ethnicity. Examples of geographical/heredital identities include, but are not limited to, "North American," "Canadian," "African," "Nigerian," "Caribbean," "Antiguan," "Asian," "Chinese," "European," "German," "South American," "Colombian," "Palestinian," "Yoruba," "Igbo," "Hausa" etc., as well as hyphenations of identities such as "African-Caribbean," "British-Jamaican" etc.

Where a more accurate and comprehensive representation of an individual's identity is required, the Even Code should be used. The Even Code provides a standardised framework that enables individuals to represent their self-identified identities through the Even framework, including the EVEN Skin Tone Guide and the EVEN Eye Colour Guide, generating a unique identifier that promotes greater accuracy, consistency and respect in the representation of human identity.

Flexibility in Ethnicity Reporting: We promote the flexibility for individuals to express their own self-identified ethnicity rather than being limited to predetermined categories.

International Collaboration: EVEN is committed to collaborating with stakeholders, including cultural experts, advocacy groups, and communities worldwide, to ensure our efforts are culturally sensitive.

The Even Convention: The Even Charter is devoted to collaborating with governments globally to promote the growth of an Even Convention, with the objective of securing worldwide recognition and implementation of the fundamental principles outlined in the Even Charter.

EVEN will work collaboratively with developers of artificial intelligence to promote the principles of Equity Via Equal Naming. We will encourage the development and adoption of AI systems that represent human identity using accurate, precise and respectful terminology, moving beyond outdated colour-based racial labels. Through the Even framework, including its structured identity framework, the EVEN Skin Tone Guide, the EVEN Eye Colour Guide and the Even Code, we seek to support AI systems in representing human identity in a manner that better reflects individuals' self-identified identities.

Part 3: Implementation

Concerning the implementation of the terminology and usage key outlined in Article 2, Article 16 establishes specific guidelines for usage as follows:
  • Consistency: Ensure that the usage of these terms is consistent across all official documents, communications, and publications.
  • Context: Always consider the context to choose the term that most accurately conveys the intended meaning.
  • Education: Make stakeholders, partners, and the community aware of these conventions to maintain consistency in external communications as well.

Review of Colour Based Naming Conventions: EVEN encourages organisations, institutions and wider society to review naming conventions that use colour as a central identifier. Where appropriate, organisations, ideas, policies and initiatives should consider whether their names continue to accurately reflect their purpose, values or the communities they represent.

Principles of Equitable Naming: EVEN encourages the transition from colour based terminology to names that more accurately reflect the purpose, values or objectives of organisations, ideas, policies and issues. By promoting descriptive and meaningful naming conventions, we seek to foster greater accuracy, clarity and respect in public discourse. For example, an organisation whose title includes a colour based identifier may instead choose a name that reflects the community it serves, such as its geographical or cultural identity, or a name that reflects its mission or purpose, such as promoting equality, inclusion or anti-racism.

EVEN will offer cultural sensitivity training to all stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Even Charter. This training will foster an understanding of historical naming practises and their implications, promoting respectful and inclusive naming conventions.

Partnerships: We will establish partnerships and collaborate with contributing stakeholders, including organisations, institutions, and individuals who share the Even vision of achieving equity via equal naming.

Research and Development: EVEN will support research and development efforts focused on understanding the impacts of naming conventions and developing resources to promote equitable naming practises. We will initiate pilot programs in specific regions or communities to actively seek feedback and consultation from affected communities to shape our approach.

Guidelines and Recommendations: We will develop guidelines and recommendations for the integral use of the Even Code, ensuring accurate, comprehensive and respectful referencing when describing a person's skin colour, particularly in legal, medical and other professional contexts.

EVEN will develop guidance, standards and recommendations to support the integration of the Even framework within artificial intelligence systems. We will work collaboratively with technology developers, researchers and other stakeholders to encourage the responsible adoption of the Even framework, including its structured identity framework, the EVEN Skin Tone Guide, the EVEN Eye Colour Guide and, where appropriate, the Even Code. Through this work, we seek to promote greater accuracy, consistency and respect in the way artificial intelligence systems identify, describe and communicate human identity.

Part 4: Governance Principles

Stewardship: EVEN shall be governed in accordance with its charitable purposes and the principles set out in this Charter. Those entrusted with its governance shall act with integrity, independence and in the best interests of the charity and the public benefit.

Integrity and Accountability: EVEN is committed to the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability. Those responsible for its governance shall ensure that decisions are made ethically, responsibly and consistently with the principles and objectives of this Charter.

Independence, Collaboration and Evidence: EVEN shall remain independent, impartial and evidence informed in pursuing its charitable purposes. We are committed to engaging constructively with governments, public bodies, academic institutions, technology developers, businesses, charities and civil society whilst maintaining our independence of judgement and commitment to the principles of this Charter. We will promote research, consultation and constructive dialogue to ensure that our work remains accurate, relevant and effective.

Review of the Charter: The Even Charter shall be reviewed periodically to ensure that it continues to reflect the charitable purposes of EVEN, advances its mission and remains responsive to emerging evidence, technological developments and the evolving needs of society.