(Little note at the beginning. I’m no native speaker and while I know one or two things about the English language, I’m no expert in slurs in any language. Most of the time I come in contact with slurs in German, therefore some things in the following probably apply mostly for the German language and/or work differently in English. Think for your own.)
And most importantly, far more is ableist than most are even aware of. Towards 2020, I made a resolution to name ableist language as soon as I see it, and amazingly have followed through relatively well since then. Some respond with agreement and thank me for pointing it out, but most respond with disapproval and the very special clowns of course blithely carry on. I, at least, will never get through to these people, because it is too much effort for me to deal with them further, but I live in the hope that someone is always reading along and starts to rethink. And behind every person who speaks out, there are dozens who have not dared to do so for various reasons, but who may feel encouraged by it.
I usually name ableistism in a form of "I agree with you in principle in your argument, but you are using ableist language at this point" or simply "This is ableist language". It's understandable that most respond with rejection at first, because the vast majority hear me saying, "You're ableist." Which, if you take a closer look, is not the case at all. Because most of us have internalised ableistism, racism, sexism, queermisia and other isms without being aware of it. I believe most of them mean no harm when they reproduce ableist language. This makes it all the more important to become aware of the internalised isms and to actively relearn. The emphasis is on learning, because it is a learning process that does not happen overnight. Mistakes will always happen, even to me, and no one is perfect. But the important thing is to stay committed and to continue to be willing to learn.
The following list is neither in any particular order nor does it claim to be complete, and I will certainly add to it from time to time if I do find something that slipped through my fingers. For some terms, there are appropriate substitutes, while others should simply not be used. In general, insults are a wonderful field of language per se, as long as they are not used to the detriment of other population groups. Get creative and call the next empty thinker (you probably call them anti-vaxxers, but we in Germany call them Leerdenker in contrast to their Queerdenker) and mask denier a soggy toast or fall back on the good old list of mushroom names. How about a Stinking Slimehead or a Great Gall Tear? (Yes, these ar literal translations of German names for mushrooms. Dunno if those work in English, too, but it’s great.)
Queerphobia, Lesbophobia, Homophobia: Yes, using that term is ableist because it has nothing to do with phobias. Phobias are clinical diagnoses of various anxiety disorders. Being a fucking terf (trans exclusive radical feminist) like Rowling or generally speaking out against queer people's rights is not an anxiety disorder. It's a conscious choice that qualifies one to be an asshole at most. Better to speak of queermisia.
"It triggers my OCD." Two things at once in that statement. One: please don't ever speak of "triggers" again unless you really mean triggers in the psychology context. It dilutes the term. Triggers are certain key stimuli that, well, trigger certain reactions. They can be anything from scents to certain objects and very specific statements and behaviour patterns in you or other people. Triggers can be harmless, but they can also trigger terrible trauma reactions that go as far as self-harming behaviour and suicidal tendencies. This is not to be trifled with. It is better to rephrase the word completely. Also, don't talk about OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) unless you are really talking about OCD. This, too, is a complex field that involves much more than seemingly excessive neatness, but mainly obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours that people affected cannot defend themselves against. So the next time you see a desk that doesn't match your sense of orderliness, you'd better say, "That awakens my inner Monk."
Retarded: A no brainer actually. Disabled people are not an insult! This category also includes the long list of physical disabilities, which should also please never be used as an insult again, under any circumstances. These include lame (why don't you use good old boring instead the next time you see another lousy film) as well as spastic (although I'm not sure, if this is used as a slur in English. It is in German. Just don't do it.). I think (and hope) that most people are already aware of this. It becomes more difficult when it comes to mental disabilities and mental illness.
"That's schizophrenic." No, it isn't. Things and circumstances can be ambivalent, conflicting or contradictory, but never schizophrenic. Schizophrenia is one of the most severe mental illnesses and people affected by it suffer greatly. To call them crazy or insane stigmatises them even more.
In general, terms like lunatic or insane should be removed from the vocabulary, as they generally reinforce the stigma of mental illness. The same goes for crazy, maniac or sick in general.
In the Third Reich, people with physical and/or mental disabilities were subjected to euthanasia. This included people with diminished intelligence. Insults that refer to a person's intelligence are therefore also to be classified as ableist. These include stupid, debil, low-wit, moron, fool, idiot, retard and others. Do not say. Never again. Under no circumstances. Get creative and make a list of mushroom names. By the way, Covidiot is also ableist. Say Coronazi instead.
In recent years the stigma of mental illness has been hugely magnified by people like Trump being remotely diagnosed by people without proper medical training. He's already had a whole host of the above terms foisted on him, including being labelled mentally ill. As far as the world knows, he is not. He is simply a thoroughly despicable human being and to call him mentally ill puts him on a par with people like me. I am mentally ill, I have social phobia.
All derogatory remarks about a person's body shape, no matter which way it deviates from the socially accepted norm, are ableist and hurt people with eating disorders and/or illnesses that make them gain or lose weight. Common phrases such as "Are you blind/deaf?" or statements such as "Can't you read?" are also to be classified in this way.
In general, it can be said that all phrases and terms that refer pejoratively to the physical, psychological and mental characteristics and abilities of other people are derogatory, and they are far more deeply embedded in our everyday language than one might think at first. Be aware of your language and reflect on your behaviour.
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Thank you to Inspired Quill for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
Book: The Wysman by Dorothy A. Winsor
Release Date: June 27th 2020
Tags: Fantasy | Family | Trust | Disability
Trigger/Content Warnings: Mentions of Physical Abuse | Physical Abuse |Ableism | Ableistic Language
Other books in this series I reviewed
The Wind Reader
So up until now i thought i had a monster living in me because of how id hear certain noises then id scream and cry and throw things and i have to say theres nothing better than knowing im autistic and okay.
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Tudafw when allistic love to say “dance like no one’s watching” but you literally can’t do that because if they saw you stim dancing they would think you were insane. Every time someone reboots that phrase I die a little more.TV
TUAFW you're playing Dance Dance Revolution with your sister and you do raptor hands bc balance issues, and your sis laughs at you because she says you "look like a tap dancing squirrel" and you get super self-conscious and never play DDR ever again
