enslaved, enslavement

Avoid using slave, which separates a person’s identity from his or her circumstances. The preferred term is enslaved person/people.  

Slave may be used in direct quotes and certain historical contexts, such as in reference to the Atlantic slave trade or the slave economy of the South.  

Use caution when referring to “slave owner”; do not use “master.” It is preferable to identify a person as someone who enslaved people. Example: Thomas Jefferson enslaved people.

Enslavement of people may be used instead of slavery when appropriate.