Ableism and Ableist Language

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Nat

There is a great deal of ableist language in the common vernacular - in my experience it's everywhere - work, media, friends, queer community. Most of it seems pretty accepted and I don't think much about it.sometimes I don't even have a clear the line is between ableist language and metaphorical language. For example,"stand up for what you believe in" or "he is blinded by his own feelings." Commonly used terms - ableist?

I do have a problem with the word "retarded" being used pejoratively, but what about terms like "moron" "idiot" "dumb" or "stupid" - are these terms more okay? Is attacking a person's or groups intelligence ever okay? What about when you are talking about yourself, eg. "that was really stupid of me."

I hadn't thought much about the generic word "crazy" being used in this way, though I have seen the word used in a sexist way. Anyway, I ran across this in a podcast and wanted to share it. What do y'all think?

The mentally ill and their rights to civil liberties as well as what they get thrown at them in our abelist world is horrible. I know I need to watch using such terms more when going at right-wing politics. Might be a good idea to not use crazy, nut-job, whacko, wing-nut, etc.