And I suppose a large part of my opinion comes from--if the association doesn't, in actuality, contribute to oppression, not using the word doesn't actually harm anyone (especially, as I've said above, since I limit my argument and displeasure mostly to "crazy"). There are other words, ones that can be used completely without risk, so why not, at least when someone requests it, use them? Even if the gesture is completely meaningless, making the gesture is not, and refusing to make the gesture is deeply hurtful, especially in a community like this one, where similar gestures are preformed.

I may be overly keen on defending myself here, but I do not want anyone to come away with an unfair or false idea of my opinion.