Sure. TERFS aren't worth inviting to the clubhouse. But "TERFS" are, because, like us, some people get labels dropped on them for the purpose of smear campaigns and behavior-correcting abuse. If someone called you a TERF, I'm not gonna take that at face value.
Labels are super useful communicative tools, but they can be wielded against us. We'd think twice before allying with someone labeled "sjw", though we'd hopefully look into the matter for proof before settling to conviction. Similarly, any other label we come to rely on will not have respect given to its linguistic merit because our enemies do not respect language outside of being an effective weapon to impose their wills.
Sure. TERFS aren't worth inviting to the clubhouse. But "TERFS" are, because, like us, some people get labels dropped on them for the purpose of smear campaigns and behavior-correcting abuse. If someone called you a TERF, I'm not gonna take that at face value.
Labels are super useful communicative tools, but they can be wielded against us. We'd think twice before allying with someone labeled "sjw", though we'd hopefully look into the matter for proof before settling to conviction. Similarly, any other label we come to rely on will not have respect given to its linguistic merit because our enemies do not respect language outside of being an effective weapon to impose their wills.