I'm not a fan of using social justice language as a litmus test or a poker than thou competition.

BUT, as I grow, I try to learn in public. Words matter. Here is some of the language I'm working to evolve in my own practice, thanks to the insight of others smarter than me:

Replacing "developed nation" with "westernized democracy."

Why? Because "developed" is a loaded term and us often code for "white" or "capitalist."

Replacing "food desert" with "food apartheid system."

Why? Because desert implies an accidental, almost natural occurrence, when what is true is that the degree to which various communities have access to healthy food that is by design.

Replacing "criminal justice system" with "criminal legal system."

Why? Because there has been no justice-and that's precisely what we're fighting.

Replacing "reform" with "transformation."

Why? Because I don't want to cap my own imagination at mere reform.

Not when freedom requires full transformation.

OMG WOKER THAN THOU TWITTER WHERE IS THE EDIT BUTTON

Accountabity, not perfection.

Evolution, not perfection.

Justice, always.

OH, also, @rashadrobinson makes this point constantly: stop using passive voice about the systems that harm people.

Try "Banks discriminate in lending to Black families," instead of "Black people get fewer home loans." Put the onus on the systems, not the marginalized.