Since joining the ROC-NH staff I've heard the many sides of the vocabulary debate: "mobile home" vs. "trailer" vs. "manufactured home."

I choose to use the term "manufactured home" because I feel "trailer" and "mobile home" carry negative, second-class connotations. I want the words I use to reflect my feelings about manufactured housing that it is a first-rate form of housing.

The recent "Trailerhood" song and music video by country singer Toby Keith reaffirmed the motivation behind my choice.

For those of you who have not heard the song or seen the video please do not go out of you way to do so. The lyrics and video images perpetuate false stereotypes of manufactured housing and those who call it home, suggesting that all these folks do is drink, gamble, and watch NASCAR and football on their front lawns. This is so far from reality.

Stereotypes may make songwriting easier, but the fact is that families who live in manufactured housing are very hard to categorize. According to the 2008 Manufactured Home Market Facts Report, people who live in manufactured housing are a diverse group, ranging from new families just starting out to those who choose to retire in these homes.

ROC-NH's own 2010 Community Leadership class reflected that diversity. The class was made up of a hair dresser, nurse, chiropractor, police officer, engineer, and various other professions. This class was so inspired by the use of vocabulary that some members have begun work on a resident-owned community dictionary. Their clear preferences are for "manufactured home" over "mobile home" or "trailer," and "community" over "park."

The words we choose have a lasting impact on those who hear them as well as those who are represented through our words.

But what do you think? Is the image that pops into your head when you hear the term "manufactured housing" the same as when you hear "mobile home?" Do you call where you live a "resident-owned community," a "co-op," or a "trailer park?" Do you think it matters what words you and others use to describe your home and neighborhood?

Former ROC-NH cooperative conversion specialist Angela Romeo now works for ROC USA.

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