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It is often the case that a "good" word is used, and then the derogatory secondary meanings grow.

Years ago special needs was a fairly safe term, yet now "speshul" definitely has different tone. I'm sure you know if many other examples (I can think of heaps). I predict that "delayed" will become derogatory.

I think that banning words is literally dumb. I am bit older and went through the Politically Correct putsh. Disclaimer: I'm a lefty.

Alien has been the legal term since the beginning. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_and_Sedition_Acts

Resurrecting obscure rasistic terminology from 200 years ago isn't much of an excuse.

It is the currently used language of the U.S. government.

This particular word has been in official use for ages. I agree that it's disgusting.