I don't understand why people are so defensive about this list of words. There is no need to be invested in words that turn off voters. It's like when the right got really invested in the word "retard" and that turned off the liberals. To this day, I still know that MY used it and I don't know why.
It’s because it’s a fake controversy. The people who pretend to care about “homeless” vs “unhoused” don’t want to hear about either. They have no interest in ever acknowledging or helping the people to whom these words refer. They’re just trying to create discord among people on the left.
I don't believe this at all. These usages are very common in activist groups.
My argument is not that the words aren’t used. My argument is that the people urging us not to use them would rather cause friction on the left than acknowledge or address the problems the words point to.
Most of these words are precise and necessary. The people who critique them hope that by getting rid of the words they can begin to make their meanings go away. Fuck that whole project.