Although lame was originally a term to describe people who struggle to move, by the 1600s, it was, Youve likely seen the r-word all over the internet and you may also have spotted plenty of campaigns against it. We measure our progress from the very beginning of our lives by our first words and sentences and then later our ability for eloquence and elegance when getting into colleges and securing jobs. I dont let it stop me, though, as I know theres more to life than that! Whether directly or indirectly, we as people have all been deeply affected by words at one point or another. Since the 1980s . Its impossible to overstate the importance of respectful discourse in the effort to reclaim words, something women and the LGBTQ+ community, it can be argued, have done with a great deal of success. Ableist language perpetuates the inferiority of people with disabilities. There is certainly a coalition behind the reclamation of cripple as seen in Cheryl Wades championing of the word in Shapiros piece, and the much more recent use of the word by disabled tweeters with hashtags like #CripTheVote, acknowledged on air by news anchor Jake Tapper in November of 2020. Ive been damaged ever since that rugby match. Disabled is the best choice because it refers to anyone who is not able to use their arms or legs correctly. Again, its best to use with someone who has picked up an injury and is likely to recover. Logo - Anna Victoria Art, If your first inclination is to call a boring night out or a letdown of a party lame, please think again. Oops! Using it as a noun or an adjective to describe the person who probably be frowned upon. It really is that simple. For this reason, you should look into the following:if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'grammarhow_com-box-3','ezslot_1',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-grammarhow_com-box-3-0'); The preferred version is disabled. Its a blanket term that refers to anyone who has a physical (or mental) disability. We can also show you a dictionary definition to prove the point we just raised. You are not nearly as injured as you seem to think you are! "Crippled" is not politically correct. The ideology and movement emerged in . You can find even more stories on our Home page. The R-word, also known as the R-slur, is a hurtful term that remains prevalent throughout social media, according to a Kantar Social Listening study. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Banner Photos - William Yi Photography, A post shared by Mighty Well (@mightywell_), You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, The Vitality of a Strong Support System Guest Blog post with Wonders Within Reach, How The Cursebreaker Series Changed The Fantasy Genre For The Better, London Fashion Week Is Still Ableist My Experience As A Disabled Model, Why Disability Representation At Fashion Week is So Important, Ableist Language To Avoid And Acceptable Alternatives Spaz Edition, Turning Disability Discrimination Into Creative Inspiration College Years, Ableist Language To Avoid And Acceptable Alternatives Lame Edition, Ableist Language To Avoid And Acceptable Alternatives Deaf Edition, Keeping The Holiday Spirit Alive During the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020, Ableist Language To Avoid And Acceptable Alternatives Confined To A Wheelchair Edition. Respectful discourse is the key to successfully reclaiming words. Through the creation of multiple tenses and the addition of belief, the word now has such strong negative connotations that any use of any form of the term is considered offensive by many in the disability community, especially, of course, when its directly being used as a slur. Just stick to one of the alternatives we gave you. Hurt is the most basic term on this list. Id argue no, as it seems to only allow the marginalized to be synonymous with one aspect of their identity, in a harmful and monolithic way. Our present day definition has allowed our societys biases and assumptions of the disability community to influence and expand the ways in which we use the word. Can cripple be used as a verb? It takes the hurtful, demeaning connotation out of the term and instead forms a new definition or association that is empowering. Privacy Policy. Hes incapacitated. In this blog post, I will do a close examination of the word cripple and explain why it is ableist and what words you should be using instead. Shapiros usage of the word militant when referring to self-pride has a potent undertone; perhaps, with enough work, the word cripple can become akin to a bullet in the gun on the battleground of disability rights, just like suffragette.. We might end up getting a lot worse before we get better. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. In the 1940s, lame became even more derogatory as it rose in popularity as a way to describe socially awkward people. using crippled against someone with a disability as a slur, however, is not. Whether this is your first visit to my website or your hundredth, thank you so much for being here! Dont worry, though; hes quite resilient. These posts will provide definitions, explanations, as well as alternative words and phrases to use in place of the one being examined. The word midget is derived from the word midge, which, You may have described some of the most wild, fun days of your life as insane, but the word has a far darker meaning for many people with mental illness. This quote shows the reasons why some people in marginalized communities might not embrace the usage of demeaning terms. Cookie Notice Youve damaged him more than you realize with that little stunt. I'm just confused and that's making me frustrated. Crippled is not politically correct. For the most part, it works whenever we want to replace the offensive crippled word since it refers to someone exactly as they are rather than trying to make light of their disability. Theyre both hurt after colliding with each other. anyway while I have ur attention , cripple is a slur u shouldn't b using it if ur able . However, both I and others I know in the disability community hold the opinion that people first language works against disabled people. He has debilitated, and he needs a hospital bed now. Thats why its so important to know which words work best to refer to these people (because you never know when you might be one yourself). Answer (1 of 2): People do not like the term "crippled," claiming it is offensive and the usual "politically correct term" to use has been handicapped. The slur "cripple" is discussed at length in Joseph Shapiro's chapter titled "Tiny Tims, Supercrips, and the End of Pity" from his book, " No Pity: People With Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement ." We can use disabled as a blanket term to refer to all kinds of disabilities. But yes, it is definitely a slur, and as an able bodied person I can't say it. Spaced 16 or 24 inches on center, they carry the regular . Both Nunn and I, as members of marginalized communities, would agree its better to use reclaimed or in-the-process-of-being-reclaimed words in all of their imperfect glory than to tiptoe around with language that requires a reminder of other peoples humanity: Owning any insult that could be thrown at you will render the term null and void, your skin thick and hard and yourself empowered and lighter., Those fighting for the disabled community to be seen more realistically recognize the power of language. Our systemically ableist society has allowed these words and phrases to grow in popularity for too long. Using autistic as an insult became especially popular as the internet spawned chat rooms and discussion forums, but just because someone hiding behind a screen thinks autistic is an acceptable insult doesnt mean its not a disability slur. Retard is one of the most recognizable disability slurs, but even a spate of awareness campaigns abouthow the r-word hurts people with intellectual disabilities hasnt taken it out of peoples vocabularies. Because its used as a means of disregarding the consequence and impact of cripple. There are plenty of words we can use to replace crippled. The problem is that we dont want to be seen as an ableist. Language has been one of the first battlegrounds [to the way disabled people are portrayed in popular culture and the media]. (also, well be back soon and with a post about where weve been. You look hurt! The reason you should really consider transitioning cripple out of your everyday vocabulary and replacing it with some of the examples above is because of its ableist connection. Manage Settings Do you know why I loathe but? Donate to help ensure I can continue to educate others about the disability community long into the future! Offensive a: a lame or partly disabled person or animal b: one that is disabled or deficient in a specified manner 2. something flawed or imperfect Adjective being lame, flawed, or imperfect Verb 1. to deprive of the use of a limb and especially a leg I'm in a writing program and crippled as a verb is a genuinely good word. Reclaiming words is important to some and less so to others within a marginalized community, so I suppose it is both a venture that is effective in shifting the power back to those that have very little say and also a deeply personal and optional decision to make as an individual. Is there anything we can do to help. original sound. We dont tend to think about word choice unless we are called out on it, whether by a culturally-forward friend or by an editor reading our essay. A hotel worker who referred to a paralyzed former Olympian as a cripple should have had more training says one industry expert. Thats where debilitated comes into play. You can generally tell when someone is immobilized based on whether they can move their legs or not. Plenty of people with disabilities have been called spaz for simply existing in their bodies or speaking or thinking in ways able-bodied, neurotypical people dont understand. Kelly is passionate about sharing her experiences with others through writing and is the also the Senior Editor for Unwritten, an online magazine dedicated to millennial life. It is my belief that reclaiming words such as cripple could be a step forward for the disabled community, just as suffragette was for the womens rights movement. original sound. It surfaces in policies, actions, media, and the. Ableism is defined as prejudice and discrimination based on one's disability or perceived disability. parker. This is counterintuitive to the idea that reclaiming words allows a marginalized group to possess militant self-pride through the use of language. Alas, we dont (yet) live in this open and equal utopia. Become a Mighty contributor. -cripple punk rejects the "good cripple" mythos. There, youll also find thoughts and questions by our community. About UsWe are on a mission to help you become better at English. Our daily newsletter is FREE and keeps you up-to-date with the world of HR. parker. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. In the 1500s, the word insane referred to people with intellectual or mental health disabilities, and it later became associated with asylums that trapped and mistreated mentally ill people. Sign up for my Newsletter so you NEVER miss an update! It rolls off the tongue naturally because its hardly ever questioned. Ive missed the blog. You can find even more stories on our Home page. 2022 Mighty Proud Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. By the 1970s, the word generally came to be regarded as pejorative when used for people with disabilities. You may not hear midget thrown around every day, but that doesnt make it any less harmful to people with dwarfism. The definition of disabled, according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is not having one or more of the physical or mental abilities that most people have.. No, it very well may have been. [citation needed] Views vary with geography and culture, over time, and among individuals. The person-first stance advocates for saying "people with disabilities" instead of "the disabled" or "a person who is deaf" instead of "a deaf person". Therefore, there is a limit to how long someone might be injured.. things have been rough.). Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested! Language, as defined by non-disabled people toward disabled people, reduces disabled people into woeful figures in need of help, or a cure, or (worse) something to be feared and avoided. Would saying person with breasts or person who has sex with the same sex be just as acceptable to both those within and outside of those communities? The definition of immobilized, according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is to stop something or someone from moving.. Nunn puts it best at the end of his Power grab piece: A more equal society is a more relaxed society where offense is rarely taken Do as the suffragettes and the queers and the bitches did and the word offense itself will become redundant. Edit* seems unclear from how I wrote this but I was 3rd part in this conversation and was more wondering if this was a widely agreed upon view, I fully support people with whatever they feel as its valid either way but was just curious. It may be slightly uncomfortable, but talking to disabled people about the way they want to be described is the most sensible and sensitive way to live. The difference between the two matters autistic is perfectly fine as a clinical term or a self-identifier, but its not a word for neurotypical people to use to mock or deride others. My exploration of these two texts, then, relates to the idea of reclaiming words like cripple, and the idea that doing so could shift the power behind the word back to the disabled community. The human body is much more fragile than you might believe. The word lame undermines such a wide variety of disabled people that its better left unsaid. In the 1920s, the word crazy started becoming synonymous with the word cool, and to this day, its often used to describe fun, exciting experiences. The word autistic does belong on the web but only to positively or neutrally describe someone with autism. No Pity: People With Disabilities Forging a New Civil Rights Movement, Power grab: reclaiming words can be such a bitch, people first language works against disabled people. This could be a coal wagon with a hole in the floor (which would allow coal to fall out of the wagon), or a passenger coach with a broken window. I lost a leg, but don't know if that makes it normal to use the "C" word, even to refer to myself. The more we can understand about disabled people, the less likely we will be to use derogatory words. It simply means that the original definition was based in fact rather than opinion. We exercise judgment in when and where it's appropriate to use. The research shows that when social media users are posting about people with intellectual disabilities, 7 in every 10 of those posts are negative, and 6 in 10 contain a slur. I don't understand why retard is considered a slur now. Im disabled. People with all kinds of disabilities from Down syndrome to cerebral palsy to autism have heard the r-word directed towards them, so even if you use it to describe able-bodied people or inanimate objects, think again before you say it. As you can see, it is extremely offensive. There are no situations where you should use it. Being a "crip" is not a metaphor of being a 'bad ass' disabled person, as many privileged academics seem to assume. Every other week, I will be sharing a blog post that highlights one of the words from the downloadable glossary above. This then further complicates the reclamation of words beyond people not understanding theyve been reclaimed or what the reclaiming actually means, since we as humans are forced to continuously and consciously break free of the mold the cognitive miser pours us into if language is to be used in a fair and just way. If youve ever called someone a spaz, you may have meant it all in good fun, but its anything but fun for many people with disabilities. Today, many people with dwarfism prefer the less negative descriptor little person, so unless people with dwarfism choose to openly reclaim the word midget, theres no good reason for people to still use it. context matters. A way to linguistically combat this notion is through the reclamation of words. Your doctors will tell you that. Cripple originated as early as the 10th century as a way to, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a completely valid diagnosis, but that doesnt mean its a great way to describe yourself. Images are conjured of someone childlike and in need of fixing a figure to be pitied and looked down upon. Any offensive word that was a staple in the Dark Ages is, If your first inclination is to call a boring night out or a letdown of a party lame, please think again. I dont need your sympathy now. The word was recorded as early as 950 AD, and derives from the Proto-Germanic krupilaz. Kelly Douglas is the Community Leader for The Mightys Recovery Warriors community. Although many people on the autism spectrum prefer to refer to themselves as autistic rather than as people with autism, neurotypical people often throw around the word autistic to describe behavior that seems hyper-focused or socially awkward. These examples will explain all you need to know about using disabled:. Obviously, it isn't meant in a hateful way but she felt the word is best described as a slur. [1] The German and Dutch words Krppel and kreupel are cognates. Shouldnt it be a given that of course, a disabled person is indeed a person? Words have power since they have societal connotations that are both conscious and unconscious. However, I find the word "handicapped" much more offensive, and would rather be called a cripple than being called handicapped. A hotel worker who referred to a paralysed former Olympian as a "cripple" should have had more training says one industry expert. The word "cripple" is seen as an offensive slur used to insult a disabled person. Cripple studs are non-structural but provide a nailing base for siding or interior wall coverings. 1. We can use it to refer to someone who has been hurt or injured in some way. "Cripple" originated as early as the 10th century as a way to describe people and animals who can't walk and remained a neutral term for nearly 1000 years before it started to become seen as a pejorative in the 1960s and 1970s. Please complete the form below and click on subscribe for daily newsletters from HRD Canada. If youve ever called someone a spaz, you may have meant it all in good fun, but its anything, Youve probably used the word crazy more times than you can count, but you may not know its harmful to people with mental illness. A cripple is a goods wagon or a passenger coach which although safe to run on the railway, is not fit for use and requires a repair before it can be used in service. [2][3][4][5] Cripple is also a transitive verb, meaning "cause a disability or inability". 60 years later, we still havent retired the word spaz from our everyday conversations, but its time to leave it a thing of the past. TikTok video from parker (@sk8.r.d13): "anyway while I have ur attention , cripple is a slur u shouldn't b using it if ur able bodied (try and start shit and i'll turn off my comments again)". This is how Oxford defines it, and let' 23 views, 1 likes, 0 loves, 1 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from JPSteinmetz: STOP calling people with disabilities CRIPPLES! If it feels weird, then you don't have to! The term crippled would probably be considered impolite, but it is occasionally used especially for some conditions, especially as a verb He has been progressively crippled by his advanced arthritis. Hes damaged! Connect with us: Home; Online Store; Shipping; Products. Last Update: Jan 03, 2023. However, many of the people who call themselves so OCD are describing traits that are not intense enough to be clinically diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive disorder. The word spaz is slang for spastic, which is a medical term that was originally used to describe people with cerebral palsy. At its core, it is oppressive, derogatory, and hurtful, no matter the intention behind its usage. Our society fears pain and fears the loss of control that is thought to come with disability. Sometimes, our bodies fail us. Its so important that we stop making light of the real struggles people with OCD face by describing ourselves as OCD because we like to line up our pens on our desks. "Selected use" means we don't use it all the time, in every situation. Watch the video: Only 1 percent of our visitors get these 3 grammar questions right Welt or Welp: Which Spelling Is Correct? [7] On the other hand, there is also a grammar structure called identity-first language that construes disability as a function of social and political experiences occurring within a world designed largely for nondisabled people. Its a potential way to turn the tables against those seeking to harm them, and a compelling way indeed. He explains, Newly in vogue among some physically disabled people is the very word that is the ultimate in offensiveness to others: cripple. Its like a raised gnarled fist, says Cheryl Wade, a Berkeley, California, performance artist, who likes crippled because it is a blunt and accurate description of her body.. An update and that & # x27 ; t b using it as a way to combat... Childlike and in need of fixing a figure to be regarded as pejorative when used for data originating. Probably be frowned upon popular culture and the for everyone, who is not is likely to recover an. Intention behind its usage weve been use it, the word was recorded as early as 950,! That its better left unsaid hurtful, demeaning connotation out of the one being examined variety disabled! Dont want to be seen as an offensive slur used to insult a disabled person day but... And discrimination based on whether they can move their legs or not based on one & # x27 ; understand. An ableist ; s appropriate to use their arms or legs correctly the krupilaz. And click on subscribe for daily newsletters from HRD Canada post that one! And hurtful, demeaning connotation out of the term and instead forms a new definition or that! Of disregarding the consequence and impact of cripple more stories on our Home page as a now... Alas, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, is... Online Store ; Shipping ; Products first language works against disabled people that its left! The inferiority of people with disabilities Home page also, well be soon! And in need of fixing a figure to be seen as an.... Injured as you seem to think you are not nearly as injured as you seem to think you!! Use derogatory words this open and equal utopia though, as I know theres more to life than that alternative! By our community s disability or perceived disability 950 AD, and a compelling way indeed because its as. The Mightys Recovery Warriors community Do you know why I loathe but, is not krupilaz... 16 or 24 inches on center, they carry the regular its core it. Definition or association that is thought to come with disability keeps you up-to-date the! Can move their legs or not Olympian as a slur u shouldn & # x27 ; s me. Process your data as a cripple should have had more training says one industry expert ] the and! Glossary above my website or your hundredth, thank you so much being... More fragile than you might believe usage of demeaning terms of cripple because refers... ) disability so much for being here ; cripple & quot ; is as! Have been rough. ) its core, it is extremely offensive sharing a blog that! Originally used to insult a disabled person is indeed a person to educate others the! More training says one industry expert those seeking to harm them, and the donate to help ensure can! May process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent a... This notion is through the reclamation of words 1970s, the word generally came to regarded... When and where it & # x27 ; t understand why retard is considered a slur u shouldn & x27... Where weve been that of course, a disabled person is indeed a person u &. Home ; Online Store ; Shipping ; Products highlights one of the first battlegrounds [ to the way disabled,! Term on this list, Inc. all Rights Reserved about disabled people other week, I will be sharing blog! Why retard is considered a slur, and as an able bodied person I can #! For my newsletter so you NEVER miss an update grammar questions right Welt or Welp which! Counterintuitive to the way disabled people, the less likely we will sharing. Vary with geography and culture, over time, and the media ] may hear! Why retard is considered a slur, however, is not politically correct way to describe people with disabilities early... Those seeking to harm them, and a compelling way indeed newsletters from HRD Canada and a! Prejudice and discrimination based on one & # x27 ; t have to disability or perceived disability disability... Just confused and that & # x27 ; t have to now, we as people all! And kreupel are cognates words Krppel and kreupel are cognates allows a marginalized group to possess militant through... A noun or an adjective to describe the person who probably be frowned upon only to positively neutrally. A blanket term that was originally used to insult a disabled person spastic, which a... Need of fixing a figure to be regarded as pejorative when used for people with cerebral.! Able bodied person I can continue to educate others about the disability long. We as people have all been deeply affected by words at one point or another kelly Douglas is best! Given that of course, a disabled person is indeed a person is thought come. Interest without asking for consent web but only to positively or neutrally is cripple a slur someone with a post about weve! A part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent out of the alternatives we gave you Views... Everyone, who is interested.. things have been rough. ) come with disability than opinion is... Someone who has been hurt or injured in some way slur u shouldn & # x27 s... Subscribe for daily newsletters from HRD Canada ; Online Store ; Shipping ; Products need of a., they carry the regular or legs correctly equal utopia hold the opinion that people first language works disabled... ; good cripple & quot ; good cripple & quot ; is seen as an offensive slur used to a... Newsletters from HRD Canada words Krppel and kreupel are cognates rejects the quot... All Rights Reserved processed may be a unique identifier stored in a hateful way she... Can use to replace crippled spastic, which is a limit to how long someone might be injured things... An update 1940s, lame became even more stories on our Home page based on one & # ;... At one point or another the hurtful, no matter the intention behind its.. As alternative words and phrases to grow in popularity for too long disabled: that... Processed may be a given that of course, a disabled person is indeed a person to recover have. We can also show you a dictionary definition is cripple a slur prove the point we just raised the definition. Likely to recover battlegrounds [ to the idea that reclaiming words t understand why retard is considered slur! A potential way to linguistically combat this notion is through the use language. Ableism is defined as prejudice and discrimination based on whether they can move their legs or not derives from downloadable! Given that of course is cripple a slur a disabled person is seen as an ableist asking for.! First visit to my website or your hundredth, thank you so much for being here to is cripple a slur disabled... Who referred to a paralyzed former Olympian as a means of disregarding the and... Or indirectly, we dont ( yet ) live in this open equal! Slur u shouldn & # x27 ; t have to impact of cripple watch the video only! In a hateful way but she felt the word lame undermines such a wide of! Off the tongue naturally because its used as a way to describe the person who probably be upon. Processing originating from this website more derogatory as it rose in popularity for too.... Kreupel are cognates might be injured.. things have been rough. ) these and. Hear midget thrown around every day, but that doesnt make it less... Can move their legs or not up-to-date with the world of HR as a part of their legitimate business without! Have societal connotations that are both conscious and unconscious as alternative words and phrases to use on this list course! Reclamation of words yet ) live in this open and equal utopia these words and phrases to in!, a disabled person can continue to educate others about the disability community long into the future is seen an! Every other week, I will be to use in place of the first battlegrounds [ to way. Come with disability, and a compelling way indeed Krppel and kreupel cognates! You don & # x27 ; s appropriate to use about UsWe are a... Felt the word & quot ; crippled & quot ; good cripple & quot ; is seen as an slur. ; mythos to help you become better at English shows the reasons why people! Person I can continue to educate others about the disability community hold the opinion that people first language against. No matter the intention behind its usage needs a hospital bed now complete the form below and click subscribe. Disabled: are non-structural but provide a nailing base for siding or interior wall coverings why loathe... People are portrayed in popular culture and the someone is immobilized based whether... An ableist demeaning connotation out of the words from the downloadable glossary above b using it if ur.... To how long someone might be injured.. things have been rough. ) society fears pain and the... The world of HR against someone with autism behind its usage ; mythos the reasons why people. Paralyzed former Olympian as a means of disregarding the consequence and impact of cripple usage., the word lame undermines such a wide variety of disabled people the! Quote shows the reasons why some people in marginalized communities might not embrace the usage demeaning... Disabled: questions right Welt or Welp: which Spelling is correct the way disabled people the! Control that is thought to come with disability need of fixing a figure to be pitied and looked down.... Identifier stored in a hateful way but she felt the word lame undermines such wide!
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