BIPOC vs. POC

bipoc vs. poc: What's the difference?

POC stands for “Person of Color” or “People of Color”—referring to any nonwhite person. BIPOC stands for “Black, Indigenous, and People of Color,” or sometimes “Black and Indigenous People of Color.” BIPOC is often used to emphasize the unique experiences of Black and Indigenous people.

BIPOC

abbreviation

plural

BIPOC, BIPOCs 

  1. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color: (used as a unifying identity label for people of color that also emphasizes the unique racial experiences of Black people and Indigenous people).

  2. Black and Indigenous People of Color: (used as a more specific identity label than people of color, intended to emphasize the unique racial experiences of Black people and Indigenous people as contrasted with other nonwhite groups).

adjective

  1. relating to or designating these groups of people.

    BIPOC faculty mentors.

POC

abbreviation

  1. person of color; people of color. Also P.O.C.

  2. port of call.