You don’t really want to encourage the idea that disabled = bad, and you can use it as an insult. It’s still racist to insult a white person with the n-word, because even if it’s not offensive to them, it carries on the cultural attitude that black people are inferior. The idea is to foster a culture that is inclusive to disabled people.
It’s subjective of course. Some people choose to believe that disabilities are bad, and can be used as an insult.
I choose to believe that abled and disabled people are equal, that belief is a core tenent of my value system, and I will lecture on it regardless of how it makes you feel.
They are inherently not equal—those disabled lack abled bodies and minds. I know it’s semantic, but the word you’re looking for is equity, not equality.
I still don’t find offence to the word retard, I use it all the time. I don’t need you, someone who is presumably able-bodied, to lecture me if the word is acceptable or not. Are you going to lecture a minority not to use particular slurs? You’re in no position to do any of this, and I certainly don’t need you to defend me from words. I can stand up for myself, thank you.
It’s subjective of course. Some people choose to believe that disabilities are bad, and can be used as an insult.p
I choose to believe that abled and disabled people are equal, that belief is a core tenent of my value system, and I will lecture on it regardless of how it makes you feel.
Man, I have physical disabilities and mental illness. It’s not equal. It fucking sucks.
I’ve tried to purge ‘retard’ from my vocabulary simply because it has been used terribly, but the point of view that is “All deficiencies are equal and must never be said to be bad” will lead to no criticism, much less hyperbole or humor, being able to be levied at all. I imagine that, should such sentiments take root in the common consciousness, they would snap back before long rather than create some doomsday newspeak scenario, but it’s terribly annoying to deal with it nonetheless.
That being said, I do respect you standing up for your point of view unapologetically.
I’m autistic, and I don’t need you to be offended for my sake.
im autistic and i would rather we do not use ableist slurs
What would you suggest instead? The word idiot? That has connotations for the intellectually disabled. Stupid? Same thing.
i prefer vague connotations over explicit slurs that folks actually register as kicking down on disabled folks
It’s very possible to offer constructive criticism without having been offended.
Absolutely!
but in this case, I don’t see the use of retard offensive. If it was directed at people with actual learning disabilities, then yeah, definitely.
You don’t really want to encourage the idea that disabled = bad, and you can use it as an insult. It’s still racist to insult a white person with the n-word, because even if it’s not offensive to them, it carries on the cultural attitude that black people are inferior. The idea is to foster a culture that is inclusive to disabled people.
Are you disabled? Since if you’re not, you’re not in a position to be lecturing if disabilities are good or bad.
It’s subjective of course. Some people choose to believe that disabilities are bad, and can be used as an insult.
I choose to believe that abled and disabled people are equal, that belief is a core tenent of my value system, and I will lecture on it regardless of how it makes you feel.
Being disabled is objectively not equal.
What do you mean? Like do you deserve fewer rights?
They are inherently not equal—those disabled lack abled bodies and minds. I know it’s semantic, but the word you’re looking for is equity, not equality.
I still don’t find offence to the word retard, I use it all the time. I don’t need you, someone who is presumably able-bodied, to lecture me if the word is acceptable or not. Are you going to lecture a minority not to use particular slurs? You’re in no position to do any of this, and I certainly don’t need you to defend me from words. I can stand up for myself, thank you.
It’s subjective of course. Some people choose to believe that disabilities are bad, and can be used as an insult.p
I choose to believe that abled and disabled people are equal, that belief is a core tenent of my value system, and I will lecture on it regardless of how it makes you feel.
Man, I have physical disabilities and mental illness. It’s not equal. It fucking sucks.
I’ve tried to purge ‘retard’ from my vocabulary simply because it has been used terribly, but the point of view that is “All deficiencies are equal and must never be said to be bad” will lead to no criticism, much less hyperbole or humor, being able to be levied at all. I imagine that, should such sentiments take root in the common consciousness, they would snap back before long rather than create some doomsday newspeak scenario, but it’s terribly annoying to deal with it nonetheless.
That being said, I do respect you standing up for your point of view unapologetically.