Happens about 20mins after I wake up.
Image transcription:
Random npc spongebob fish character looking miserable holding a cup during a sunset and another overlayed image of the same guy on the left with the same look.
It is captioned with:
When you already checked your usual 5 apps and don’t know what else to do with your day:
Pro tip - “disabled” isn’t a dirty word, please use it! 👍
disabled
👏👏👏
Genuine question, because I don’t have a confidant that I can comfortably ask this to, is that the general opinion of people with disabilities?
I am not a spokesperson for all disabled people, nor are we a monolith, but yes, it is the correct term, and enough disabled people care that there have been several campaigns and there are probably thousands of articles and other pieces of media discussing why it’s important people #SayTheWord. Look that hashtag up to find this content, here are a couple of examples:
https://www.creativeconnector.art/why-its-so-important-to-saytheword/
https://crippledscholar.com/2017/11/12/euphemisms-for-disability-are-infantalizing/
You might also benefit from reading through this: https://www.drakemusic.org/blog/nim-ralph/understanding-disability/
Thanks for the links. I will read them. I’ll admit that my first reaction is to assume that speaking directly is rude, but I’m ready to do some unlearning.
You’re welcome.
I think why you think “disabled” is rude is the thing to focus on (and the answer very briefly is because you, we all, were socialised to think that way).
I’ll just drop this link in too, I think intersectionality is vital, and understanding how systems of oppression stand alone and interact with each other is vital to unlearning them, and I think this is a good starting point that goes in to several: https://www.yorku.ca/edu/unleading/systems-of-oppression/
This resource is dropping woke bombs left and right (I’m into it). Extremely rich text.
Not to glom onto this one pat definition, but it’s one of the many paragraphs that jumped out at me.
I still haven’t got to any part that is specifically challenging using “polite” language when speaking to disabled people about their disabilities. But with your question about why I might consider the term disabled a slur, and these links, I think I’m getting there…
EDIT: uhhhh nvm, the paragraph literally after the one I quoted goes into it, very specifically.
I’m glad you’re finding the info helpful and insightful.
I think with regards to use of language, this is another good read (E: also the understanding-disability link I attached earlier will will probably help with the “why” behind thinking “disabled” is a slur). It might be coming at this from a slightly different angle, but I think the point still stands - “politeness”, “offence”, “political correctness” these are terms most often used by the privileged to police the speech of and control marginalised people (aka “respectability politics”), rather than the other way around, but I might be digressing a little at this point lol…
I mean it’s getting more academic for sure, but I think I get you - that’s one of them there intersections you were talking about (neoliberalism x ableism, maybe (to name just 2 anyway)).
EDIT thank you, that was fire. A cogent and succinct breakdown of offense vis a vis harm.
I don’t feel like I learned anything, because what I learned seems obvious (now), but if I think about my previous statements in this thread about rudeness they feel like they were made by someone else, so I guess this reading is doing something!
We’re all learning, all of the time, being open to it just makes it more interesting!
I’m glad we’ve had this exchange, it’s honestly been really refreshing.
Hmm, I thought showing respect could be better.
That’s the fucking point - there is nothing disrespectful about the word disabled, while there definitely is a lot of disrespect in using bullshit euphemisms like the one you used. The fact that you’re arguing back rather than listen and try to do better proves that you don’t care about respecting disabled people at all, but only about making yourself comfortable.
Feel free to read the links I shared with the person bellow if you actually want to start showing respect to disabled people. Either way, I’m done here.
Okay brother let’s fix it up. Basically I had heard that those words are more respectful so I used them I didn’t had any intention to show me in good light. I totally respect but I replied to tell what was my point. As English is not my first language probably u concluded something I didn’t intended. Still apology for all misbehaviour I did.
Have a good life brother.