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This is a QRT because the way this was worded helped me clarify some things.
So here are some thoughts about offense vs. insult vs. harm, internalized ableism and changing cultures. https://twitter.com/tortoise_happy/status/1279489453627760640
So here are some thoughts about offense vs. insult vs. harm, internalized ableism and changing cultures. https://twitter.com/tortoise_happy/status/1279489453627760640
My long-standing issue with the framing of harm from systems of oppression as "offense" is pretty well documented.
Being harmed is different from being offended or insulted.
Being harmed is different from being offended or insulted.
In fact, I have a pretty decent thread from a couple of years ago clarifying this. https://twitter.com/EbThen/status/1041090711012208640
How harmful language works. https://twitter.com/EbThen/status/1041091679128829953
I mean it's a pretty good thread but I'm not going to QRT the whole thing here.
I just didn't want to repeat myself while expanding on some ideas.
I just didn't want to repeat myself while expanding on some ideas.
So anyway, there are a lot of reasons people push back against changing their language to be less harmful.
One thing I've been seeing is the good old Derailing 101 tactic: "I know someone from your group who disagrees with you." https://twitter.com/EbThen/status/909576559576719362
One thing I've been seeing is the good old Derailing 101 tactic: "I know someone from your group who disagrees with you." https://twitter.com/EbThen/status/909576559576719362
Which is frustrating enough when it comes from out-of-group members but even more frustrating when it comes from in-group members.
Especially when those in-group members aren't actually engaging with the argument on its merits.
Especially when those in-group members aren't actually engaging with the argument on its merits.
Like, sure, there's an argument that focusing on ableist language distracts from other more important things.
And while I fundamentally disagree with it, it's not saying that ableist language isn't harmful.
And while I fundamentally disagree with it, it's not saying that ableist language isn't harmful.
On the other hand, you have a whole lot of Disabled people who respond to other Disabled folks pointing out ableist language with "I'm Disabled and this doesn't bother me."
Or even "It's insulting to Disabled people to suggest we're so weak that this would bother us."
Or even "It's insulting to Disabled people to suggest we're so weak that this would bother us."
The former fundamentally misconstrues the point of working against ableist language.
The latter builds on the former with, I'd suggest, internalized ableism.
The latter builds on the former with, I'd suggest, internalized ableism.
As I said, the problem of ableist language isn't hurting people's individual feelings (although it can do that).
It's the way ableist language conveys ableist ideas that reinforce entire systems of harming Disabled people.
It's the way ableist language conveys ableist ideas that reinforce entire systems of harming Disabled people.
The goal here is to change the culture. To destroy those oppressive systems.
And one way I get you to even notice the systems exist is to point out how much of our language references Disabledness or uses it as a metaphor. Especially for bad things.
And one way I get you to even notice the systems exist is to point out how much of our language references Disabledness or uses it as a metaphor. Especially for bad things.
I want folks to understand that US English, at least, is full of language that continually reinforces the inferiority of people whose brains and bodies don't work in typical ways.
That we throw these ideas back and forth and often consider them practically polite.
That we throw these ideas back and forth and often consider them practically polite.
I'm not saying that once you catch yourself using ableist language and try to change it will be easy. It's not easy.
I'm also not saying changing language will immediately result in Disability Justice.
It won't.
I'm also not saying changing language will immediately result in Disability Justice.
It won't.
But it's a place to start or continue or improve. It's a place to work ableism out of how you communicate and what your values are.
Because it's about what the words mean.
Because it's about what the words mean.
If you're constantly using words that denigrate people for perceived "low intelligence", I'm going to guess you don't really value or appreciate people with perceived "low intelligence".
And that's a problem because that lack of value manifests in actual physical harm to them.
And that's a problem because that lack of value manifests in actual physical harm to them.
(This is not a thread about why our concepts of human intelligence are basically trash but that's a thing too.)
Now, I'm not saying that if we stop using language that contributes to harm of people with perceived "low intelligence", all the harm will stop.
This is a starting place, not a destination.
This is a starting place, not a destination.
So yeah. Ableist language rarely hurts my feelings.
But that doesn't mean it doesn't contribute to real and lasting harm for me and other Disabled people.
But that doesn't mean it doesn't contribute to real and lasting harm for me and other Disabled people.
Also if you made it this far, I need some urgent financial help. https://twitter.com/EbThen/status/1279485281478074376
Anyway, TL;DR we talk about changing ableist language because words mean things and can be tools of harm.
As a corollary, I wrote this thread last year about a time someone asked ME not to use a word because it was harmful and I struggled.
It's not easy and I know it's not easy. https://twitter.com/EbThen/status/1142457064398176261
It's not easy and I know it's not easy. https://twitter.com/EbThen/status/1142457064398176261
