Nobody contends that a “word is inherently bad”? The stance is generally that certain words have been used to propagate hate and violence on certain populations. Those populations then have real associated trauma so words are avoided in most conversations. Many are still used in actual relevant academic or regulatory context.
A knife isn’t inherently bad, but you shouldn’t show up to the funeral of a stabbing victims with a hunting knife in either hand to give your condolences to the family.
Nobody contends that a “word is inherently bad”? The stance is generally that certain words have been used to propagate hate and violence on certain populations. Those populations then have real associated trauma so words are avoided in most conversations. Many are still used in actual relevant academic or regulatory context.
A knife isn’t inherently bad, but you shouldn’t show up to the funeral of a stabbing victims with a hunting knife in either hand to give your condolences to the family.