I think the issue is people simply define politics differently, even differently within certain contexts, and there's no right or wrong answer.

One could argue that it's not possible to be truly "apolitical" in software, as even "doing nothing" is considered a strategic political move to some.

A recent controversial example (Ladybird browser) is a perfect demonstration IMO:

• user: "please change mention of 'he' to a gender-neutral term"
• Andreas: "please keep politics out of this"

Now to some, dare I say most, this is a perfectly reasonable position for Andreas to be in. But to others, perhaps a vocal minority at the opposite extreme... it's everything from bigotry to borderline terrorism.

I'm not saying either side is right or wrong, or that there can even be such a thing... everyone is just defining politics differently in that context.

I don't think healthy discourse can be had until we can all learn to "agree to disagree" and move on when we aren't willing to change our definition of subjective terms... or either come to a compromise.

But I think calling people right or wrong on a subjective term is a waste of time. You can try to change their mind, but if you fail, then it's probably best to leave them alone instead of launching negative campaigns against people who have opinions you don't like. Eventually that leads to war.