On the NLA list they are talking about the naming of a group, how domination occurs when a hegemonous group does the naming, and how political power is ingrained in this process. They have touched on, but not fully explored, the fact that it's not as much the name as the meaning that is attached to it that serves to confer political status on a group. This also points to the value of EFF structures and emphasis. Your further question about it, though it doesn't sound like it, is the historical question of how those identities got that way. The confusion stems from the point that we all rightly want to both maintain our historical distinctions while at the same time relate to one another peacefully and in a qualified way.
Process becomes moot or a servant to the numbers.
Thanks for all your work. Please give feedback on the content, not the form. Simplifying the language, re-wording, etc.