A number of phrases have worked their way into our language to the point we can't easily hear how they might cause others to feel uneasy. Good-hearted, well-intentioned people often use these phrases. I don't judge people that do. However, we all can put forward an effort to choose better words when we communicate. In fact, many of the alternatives do a far better job of communicating a concept.
To help shape better language in your communities, you can:
- Replace your own usage of terms
- Give direct constructive feedback to those that employ such terms ("Jim, I noticed you had written that the holiday party was 'crazy' last year. I know you didn't mean it that way, but some people with mental illness might be thrown by that usage. Perhaps 'wild' would do just as well next time.")
- Correct or redirect usage of terms in the course of a discussion ("We can develop a black list of IP addresses." ... "Great idea. If it's OK with you, I suggest we use the term blocked list to be more direct and inclusive.")