You’re Offending People With These Common Words: Here’s Why

a black woman with glasses covering her ears while standing in front of a mural with a mouth and a yellow background

The U.S. has undeniably seen a rise in polarized perspectives. Simple acts of politeness are now sometimes misconstrued as political statements, with some on the extreme right using "woke" as a blanket term for any views diverging from theirs. Gen Z often finds themselves at the receiving end of various critiques, ranging from being called overly sensitive to "soft." Yes, navigating the ever-changing landscape of what's considered offensive can be perplexing.


But why is it worth the effort to stay updated?

Language is an ever-evolving entity. Meanings change, words come and go, while others enjoy a renaissance. Though many words hold onto their core meanings, our societal journey toward greater empathy and understanding has highlighted that some words can cause hurt, perpetuate negative stereotypes, or lead to misinterpretations.

So, which terms might be seen as potentially insensitive? While this list isn’t exhaustive, the goal is to shed light on a more considerate use of language, emphasize the importance of understanding the effects words have on others, and provide alternatives:

Pow wow

Rooted in the Narragansett word "powwaw", it's historically a gathering of North American Indigenous people celebrating their culture. So, using it to mean a casual chitchat or workplace banter feels a little off, doesn't it?

Instead of dropping this term on a casual convo, you’re better off using simple words like "meeting," "gathering," "conference," or "discussion" when talking about getting together with other people.

Spirit animal

A "spirit animal" is a concept that originates from various Indigenous cultures around the world, including Native American and First Nations traditions. It refers to an animal that is believed to have a special and personal connection with an individual, often guiding and protecting them spiritually. This concept is deeply rooted in these cultures' spiritual beliefs and practices.

For many Indigenous communities, this term is deeply sacred. So, next time you're tempted to say pizza is your spirit animal, consider using “muse” or “inspiration” instead.

Crazy or insane

These terms have historically been used to belittle and demean people with mental health conditions, contributing to the discrimination and misunderstanding they often experience.

On the other hand, using the phrase "person with a mental health condition" is more respectful and inclusive. This phrasing emphasizes that an individual's mental health condition is just one aspect of who they are and doesn't define their entire identity. It recognizes their humanity, individuality, and the fact that they are dealing with a medical condition, similar to any other health issue.

And when using “crazy” as a verb, alternatives like bizarre, absurd, wild, unreal, strange, and fantastic also work. There are actually plenty of options when it comes to taking crazy out of your vocabulary.

Off the res

"Off the res" is a slang phrase that originally comes from the term "off the reservation." In historical contexts, Native American reservations were areas of land set aside for Indigenous peoples by the U.S. government after the U.S. stole the land that was originally theirs. The phrase "off the reservation" was often used to describe Native Americans who left the boundaries of the reservation without permission, which was sometimes seen as a violation of government policies.

Using the phrase "off the res" or "off the reservation" in a casual manner today is considered offensive and disrespectful. “Going rogue” or “unorthodox” might be what you're looking for.

Non-white

Using the term "non-white" can be problematic because it defines individuals based on their lack of whiteness, which reinforces a white-centric perspective as the norm. This term can unintentionally marginalize and otherize people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds by placing them in relation to whiteness. Instead of using "non-white," you can use terms like:

  • People of Color: This term refers to individuals who belong to a racial or ethnic group other than white. It acknowledges and respects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of different groups.
  • Racial and Ethnic Minorities: While this term may not be ideal in all contexts, it's still more neutral than "non-white" and recognizes that certain groups have historically held less societal power and privilege.
  • Underrepresented Groups: This term acknowledges that certain racial and ethnic groups are not as well-represented in various contexts, such as education or employment.
  • Specific Racial or Ethnic Groups: Instead of using a blanket term, you can refer to specific racial or ethnic groups by name, such as Black, Asian, Indigenous, Latino/Latina/Latine, etc.
  • Global Majority: This term highlights the fact that the majority of the world's population is made up of people of color, providing a more balanced perspective than the "non-white" framing.

Sold down the river

"Sold down the river" is a saying that originated from the history of slavery in the United States, specifically referring to the practice of selling enslaved individuals from the upper South to the lower South via the Mississippi River. This phrase is now used to express being betrayed or deceived by someone you trusted.

Using this term casually makes light of a painful history and trivializes the suffering of enslaved people. Instead, choose other expressions like "betrayed" or "let down" to avoid perpetuating hurtful historical connections and to show sensitivity towards people's experiences.

Exotic

Using the term "exotic" to describe people, cultures, or things from different or non-Western backgrounds is problematic because it often objectifies and fetishizes those aspects, reducing them to something unusual, foreign, or otherworldly in comparison to a perceived Western or Eurocentric norm. Instead of using "exotic," you can use terms like:

  • Culturally Rich/Diverse: Highlight the uniqueness and variety of different cultures without reducing them to being "exotic."
  • Distinctive: Emphasize the unique qualities of a culture or thing without implying that it is strange or foreign.
  • Rich in Tradition/Heritage: Focus on the historical and cultural significance of a particular aspect without turning it into a curiosity.
  • Global/International: Emphasize the global reach and diversity of cultures without singling out anyone as "exotic."
  • Traditional/Authentic: When discussing cultural practices, using terms that highlight their traditional or authentic nature can be more appropriate.

Homeless

Using the term "homeless" can be dehumanizing and stigmatizing because it reduces individuals to their housing status and neglects the complexities of their situations. It's important to use language that respects their dignity and acknowledges their humanity.

Instead of using "homeless," you can use more person-centered and empathetic language like “person experiencing homelessness,” “people facing housing instability,” or “those in need of housing.”

Sex change

Using the term "sex change" is considered outdated and insensitive when discussing gender-affirming medical procedures or the process of transitioning. This term implies a simplistic and inaccurate understanding of the complex and multifaceted process that transgender individuals go through to align their gender identity with their physical appearance. It can also perpetuate the harmful idea that a person's gender identity is solely determined by their physical attributes, which is not the case

Instead of using "sex change," you can use more respectful and accurate language like “transition” or “gender-affirming surgery.”

Language is powerful, and the way we choose to express ourselves can make a world of difference in fostering understanding and empathy. Despite the demonization that’s occurring to the simple act of being respectful of the experiences of others and aware of the harm words can cause, choosing to make different language choices isn’t “soft,” it’s just basic human decency.

bop the bigot video game logo

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.

a woman giving the side eye to a man

Have you ever met someone who seems overly confident, self-centered, or even downright rude? Maybe they constantly talk about themselves, disregard your feelings, or even manipulate situations to their advantage. And, if you're anything like us and countless other Latinas, you might've thought, is this person just a purebred a**hole, or are they a narcissist?

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