But language isn't really this straightforward. Connotations accrue anyway & accurate or once-innocuous terms become loaded with social meaning & terms need to be abandoned coz their meaning has shifted in common understanding.
-
-
Show this thread
-
For example, 'Paki' is literally a simple abbreviation for 'Pakistani' which can be an accurate label but it got loaded with racism long ago & people who use it (in UK) are commonly understood to be being racist against brown ppl who may or may not have Pakistani origin.
Show this thread -
Or at least completely unaware of these connotations and needing to be made aware lest they be misunderstood. The same slide has happened with the term TERF. Not only is it used almost exclusively in a derogatory sense, it need not apply to trans-exclusionary radical feminists.
Show this thread -
I have decided against using TERF to describe feminists with this attitude but refer to them as 'gender-critical feminists' and say why I think their views are wrong & their activism harmful (when it is) whilst defending their right not to believe in gender identity & say so.
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.