This might be completely useless to even fight for, but It's began to bother me to the point that I can't help but to rant about it. Yes, phobias are real, there are people who fear things irrationally, but the word has become so blunt and useless, it only serves to cloud conversations.

<center>
<img src="https://i0.wp.com/www.healthline.com/hlcmsresource/images/topic_centers/MentalHealth/1027-The_Secret_Way_Death_Takes_Over_Your_Life-1296x728-header.jpg?w=1155">
<sub>healthline.com</sub>
</center>

Where to begin here, I don't know. I mean, I could start by the very definition of a phobia, and move from there. So what is a phobia? 

>Phobia - noun
>an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.
>"he had a phobia about being under water" 

The key word here is <b>irrational</b>, that is to say, that if there is a legitimate reason to fear something, then it's not a phobia. If I'm in a situation of danger, for example, someone is standing in front of me holding a knife, nobody with two brain cells would call me knife-o-phobic, but it seems we've regressed towards that level of discussions. 

<h1>What's my point?</h1>
My point is that it seems that people are using the word to get out of discussing rational issues. In other words, if I express concerns regarding trans-athletes male to female. If I just ask some rational questions. Does that make me transphobic? Of course not, I'm not afraid of them, what's more one of my good friends is trans, I'm genuinely trying to have an open and honest discussion. 

But of course the misuse of words that end in "phobia" does not stop there. There are countless at this point. If I ask questions about immigration, if I put points forward as to why <b>borders make sense</b>, I'll be labeled xenophobic by those who believe in open borders. You see, the point here, or the tactic is to not address the issue, but vilify the <b>other side</b>. 

It may be stupid of me, it may be just a silly pet peeve, but I'm pretty tired of it, but I hope I can remain patient enough to have the conversations, because it's too easy to give up.

MenO