Read on Twitter
THREAD
CW: Ableism
Tolkien, Orcs, and Ableism
Since the recent orc discourse, I was hesitant to speak about it from a disability point of view, but I believe that I should because it's important. The term Tolkien used in describing his orcs as "Mongol-types", as "mongoloids" 1/23
CW: Ableism
Tolkien, Orcs, and Ableism
Since the recent orc discourse, I was hesitant to speak about it from a disability point of view, but I believe that I should because it's important. The term Tolkien used in describing his orcs as "Mongol-types", as "mongoloids" 1/23
carries not only a history of colonialist racist stereotypes, but ableism too. In the UK, up to the 1980s, the term 'mongoloid' was used to refer to or describe Down Syndrome as well. Why was this? Well, the facial features associated with Down Syndrome were described as 2/23
being/likened to the facial features of Mongolians by Johann Friedrich Blumenbach. In 1908, the term was cemented in the medical field by the publishing of 'Mongolism and its Pathology' by W. Bertram Hill and, as mentioned, stayed in common use up to the 1980s. 3/23
So why would this be connected to Tolkien's orcs? Let us consider what features Tolkien gave the orcs (1958), “squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes: in fact degraded and repulsive versions of the (to Europeans) least lovely Mongol-types.” 4/23
Do you see it? These terms are not only used to describe one's ethnicity/race, but are also the facial features most commonly assigned to those with Down Syndrome. And the association goes beyond the mere facial description. Let us look at the behaviour of the Orcs. 5/23
They are aggressive, they are 'less than human', they are supposedly 'ugly' facially, and live in horrible conditions. They are savage, stupid, and they are the "other".
Let us look at a description of the treatment and living conditions of those with 6/23
Let us look at a description of the treatment and living conditions of those with 6/23
Down Syndrome in the past, "convinced, often by members of the medical community, that the child was less than human". That they were "“warehoused” in large state institutions – often in deplorable conditions- 7/23
https://www.nads.org/about-us/history-of-nads/
https://www.nads.org/about-us/history-of-nads/
so that the rest of society could not see the horror of their lives."
In LotR, the Orcs are produced/manufactured, and they live in squalor with others like them. The parallel is quite honestly haunting and shocking.
Then, the Orcs also behave aggressively, they are 8/23
In LotR, the Orcs are produced/manufactured, and they live in squalor with others like them. The parallel is quite honestly haunting and shocking.
Then, the Orcs also behave aggressively, they are 8/23
irritable and do not conform to social behaviours. What typical behaviour do we seen ascribed to Down Syndrome? Well, "irritability, agitation, aggressive behaviours". The same behaviour we see from Orcs throughout. 9/23
https://www.ndss.org/resources/mental-health-issues-syndrome/#:~:text=In%20a%20sub%2Dpopulation%20of,anxiety%2C%20and%20sleep%20related%20problems.
https://www.ndss.org/resources/mental-health-issues-syndrome/#:~:text=In%20a%20sub%2Dpopulation%20of,anxiety%2C%20and%20sleep%20related%20problems.
In the past, people with Down Syndrome were sanctioned, cut off from their families, isolated from the outside world and were not permitted to have children of their own as they would likely also have Down Syndrome. What do we see described as Saruman's 'wickedest deed'? 10/23
It is "the interbreeding of Orcs and Men, producing both Men-Orcs large and cunning, and Orc-men treacherous and vile”. We see that fear people/society had of those with Down Syndrome living 'normal lives'. Society deemed them an 'other'- 11/23 https://tolkienland.wordpress.com/2018/01/21/tolkiens-squinteyed-orc-men/#:~:text=In%201958%20Tolkien%20responded%20to,of%20the%20(to%20Europeans)%20least
to be set aside and to be isolated in their squalid conditions away from the rest of the 'normal people'.
Not only are Tolkien Orcs drenched in colonial racism, but they carry the connotations of ableism and that history of fear surrounding those who were locked up in- 12/23
Not only are Tolkien Orcs drenched in colonial racism, but they carry the connotations of ableism and that history of fear surrounding those who were locked up in- 12/23
asylums and hospitals, to perish because they were 'the other'.
And we see this carry over to TTRPGs. Dungeons & Dragons, whose Orcs in previous and even current material are still entrenched in Tolkien's original intentions, also carry this ableism. They are described as- 13/23
And we see this carry over to TTRPGs. Dungeons & Dragons, whose Orcs in previous and even current material are still entrenched in Tolkien's original intentions, also carry this ableism. They are described as- 13/23
"savage raiders and pillagers with stooped postures, low foreheads, and piggish faces" (5e Monster Manual), they "set out en masse to carve a bloody path into its new territory", and their reproduction with others in the setting is referred to as "crossbreeds". They are- 14/23
characterised by these features and their low-intelligence, so much so that it even becomes a 'racial feat' in Xanathar's Guide to Everything (5e). Described as "Your inner fury burns tirelessly", gaining brute strength that focuses solely on the 'savageness' associated- 15/23
with them. Do you see the parallels with the behaviours commonly associated with Down Syndrome?
Further proof is the aforementioned 'squalor' they live in, described as "Tribes and Slum" (Player's Handbook 5e), that they are "scrabbling to survive" and they aren't inclined- 16/23
Further proof is the aforementioned 'squalor' they live in, described as "Tribes and Slum" (Player's Handbook 5e), that they are "scrabbling to survive" and they aren't inclined- 16/23
towards being of a good alignment. That they are also 'menacing' and that "the most accomplished half-orcs are those with enough self-control to get by in a civilised land". They must accept that they'll never be fully integrated with the 'civilised folk'. Alarms should- 17/23
be ringing in your head by now. The parallels are truly shocking and show just how deeply ingrained the history of these fantasy elements are. Not only are Orcs entrenched in a history of terrible colonial racism, but carry with them the ableism and the treatment- 18/23
of those with Down Syndrome. It doesn't bear imagining what the experiences of those who were black/POC with Down Syndrome. It is horrifying.
The intent of this thread isn't to detract from the racial stereotypes Orcs are most definitely built upon, but to add the- 19/23
The intent of this thread isn't to detract from the racial stereotypes Orcs are most definitely built upon, but to add the- 19/23
perspective and history of disabled folks and how past portrayals of some fantasy races need to be overhauled, scrapped, and started over with sensitivity and consideration being at the forefront of their new designs. We need to acknowledge the past of fictional races like- 20/23
Orcs and how damaging their effects still are today. As you can see, 5e still carries elements of racism, colonialism, and ableism. It needs to be addressed, not only in D&D, but in any TTRPG system that uses Tolkien-esque depictions of Orcs in any way. 21/23
I know this is a very long thread, but I feel that this needs to be addressed as it's something I have sat upon for a while trying to put into the right words. I hope I have done some justice to that here.
Thank you for reading, I highly recommend you research into this as- 22/23
Thank you for reading, I highly recommend you research into this as- 22/23
it goes so deep.
These things need to be addressed going forward.
END 23/23
These things need to be addressed going forward.
END 23/23
