The use of language that was once employed to silence or dehumanize people is now being rectified by reclaiming words that were once harmful to the very communities they were used against. It could be a stranger on Twitter calling us names, or a moving speech given by an inspiration of ours, or the more mundanebut no less important momentsin our lives: being told you are loved, or informing a friend how very much they mean to you. A way to linguistically combat this notion is through the reclamation of words. You are not nearly as injured as you seem to think you are! There are plenty of other disabilities as well, and the term disabled refers to them all. If youd like to support my intellectual labor, please consider using the button below to make a donation via Paypal. Share Improve this answer Follow edited Aug 26, 2013 at 0:37 You look hurt! TheApiary 2 yr. ago Yes, it's a very rude way to refer to someone. Those in power hoped to use the term bitch to muzzle or shame outspoken women. Everything You Need To Know About Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) In 2021, Disability Visibility Book Review Disability Intersectionality Is EVERYTHING, Copywright 2022, Gary Nunns Power grab: reclaiming words can be such a bitch talks about why reclaiming words is a worthwhile venture in the first place and lists quite a few examples of society having done so. I love educating others on topics of disability, I can only continue to do that with your help. The word autistic does belong on the web but only to positively or neutrally describe someone with autism. belong on the web but only to positively or neutrally describe someone with autism. Thats where debilitated comes into play. Synonyms for CRIPPLES: incapacitates, disables, injures, maims, mutilates, damages, hurts, wounds; Antonyms of CRIPPLES: heals, cures, doctors, restores . Here are a few examples of how they work: Incapacitated works when talking about a disability. 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. 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.. 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. In other words, we dont want to think too much; we want to have information handed to us, as this is easier and requires less effort on our part. Any offensive word that was a staple in the Dark Ages is not a word we still need in our lives. Reclaiming words, when done effectively, is all about power, says Tony Thorne [curator of the Slang and New Language archive at Kings College London].. She/her. The hope then for some in the disabled community is that a word like cripple can over time lose the negativity associated with it and become a term used with pride. The use of midget to describe people who were touted as other and openly gawked at for years makes it a pejorative for many people with dwarfism. We want to hear your story. It is not offensive, and it is a great way to show them that you mean no harm. You can find even more stories on our Home page. 3233 views. Typically, you will be able to find out if a person is injured or disabled by asking them. The human body is much more fragile than you might believe. Privacy Collectively, you have used language to shame or shun disabled people, so try to be less offended if youre called out on how you talk about disability. On the battleground of disability rights, the reclamation of words is just one of many weapons to be used. 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.. The word crippling is also used as an adjective. Since were talking about replacements for crippled, well focus on the physical disabilities, which is why disabled still works as the best replacement. We can also show you a dictionary definition to prove the point we just raised. Become a Mighty contributor. Ive missed the blog. But at it's core it is a word to describe somebody who has become limited physically. So instead of an oppressive construct, cripple becomes a symbol of self-respect. People with a variety of mental health conditions are often called insane for having panic attacks, manic episodes, or hallucinations and this phrasing could prevent them from getting the help they need. In reclaiming cripple, disabled people are taking the thing in their identity that scares the outside world the most and making it a cause to revel in with militant self-pride. In using the term in an affirming way, marginalized people are saying screw you to those who only see disability as something to be feared; basically, if youre only going to see me as one aspect of my identityas only my disabilitythen I am going to sprinkle my disabled confetti all over your parade of nondisabled fear. This tendency to revert to the status quo is called being a cognitive miser in the field of psychology. These examples will show you what it looks like: Damaged isnt one of the best choices on here. I know there are certain words that are more acceptable for certain groups to say. In an ideal world, we would be both mindful of our word choices, but also not harshly punished for saying something wrong so that we could then be educated and guided toward a more comfortable dialogue for all. 2022 Mighty Proud Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a completely valid diagnosis, but that doesnt mean its a great way to describe yourself. Last Update: Jan 03, 2023. 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. 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. A cripple is a person or animal with a physical disability, particularly one who is unable to walk because of an injury or illness. The offense from "cripple" usually comes from directing it at a disabled person as a judgement or insult. Words have power since they have societal connotations that are both conscious and unconscious. I have no special talents. However, the term associates deafness with a hearing person deliberately not listening which is not an accurate comparison in the slightest. Sometimes, disabled people will be happy to share their trauma with you, which might help you understand their plight a little more. 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. By subscribing to my mailing list, you will be the first to know when new posts are live. [2], There is disagreement as to what causes harm. Youre incapacitated through no fault of your own. Representativity is also a trap we must be careful not to fall into. "Crippled" is not politically correct. Shes been incapacitated because of that stupid accident! Is it legal for employers to disallow labour unions? Some people consider it best to use person-first language, for example "a person with a disability" rather than "a disabled person. For some, this word is so deeply entrenched with derogatory connotations that it is filled with implications of disabled people being subhuman or useless. They might talk about a sporting or work-related accident that might have caused them to walk with a cane or a limp. Of course, like many of you, I was uneducated and unaware of the implications behind my word choice. The exact quote was "people have been crippled for months from the virus". 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". Although lame was originally a term to describe people who struggle to move, by the 1600s, it was used to describe old, irrelevant news. This is why the language we use in our lives matters, especially when discussing a subject like disability. Its best to avoid doing so, and you should always ask the person what kind of descriptive words they would expect to hear. The intention of this essay was to explore the idea of whether power can indeed be shifted back to marginalized groups, but I am still unsure if there is an answer. One thing that Shapirowho Id like to note is a nondisabled mandoes in his piece which is crucial to its value is his interviewing of disabled people to get their opinions of matters affecting them. Dont worry, though; hes quite resilient. Thanks :). This is how Oxford defines it, and let' The issue with cripple becomes painfully obvious once you place its original definition next to the ones that we, as a society, have crafted above. No, it very well may have been. julia baird barrister ava law group reviews ralph woolfolk wife notice of intent to serve subpoena pennsylvania. There, youll also find thoughts and questions by our community. At its core, it is oppressive, derogatory, and hurtful, no matter the intention behind its usage. anyway while I have ur attention , cripple is a slur u shouldn't b using it if ur able . A college student with faulty collagen. Offensive a:a lame or partly disabled person or animal b:one that is disabled or deficient in a specified manner, 1.to deprive of the use of a limb and especially a leg, 2.to deprive of capability for service or of strength, efficiency, or wholeness. A cripple is a person or animal with a physical disability, particularly one who is unable to walk because of an injury or illness. Please note that this post was spurred by the recent ask but Im aware that the submitter was trying to make a larger point and that this is related to an amalgamation of experiences and discussions. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. Additionally, the second definition in the verb section is particularly problematic because it equates cripple with a lack of wholeness.. Unfortunately, its a conscious and constant effort to defy the previously prevalent definitions of words like cripple, bitch, or queer. The way bitch and queer have been reclaimed is that they have been built into our societys vernacular and thus there doesnt have to be much, if any, explanation as to why you just referred to your best friend as one of your bitches. As humans, we tend to take the path of least resistance when discussing difficult topics such as gender, race, sexuality, disability, and more, due in part to our discomfort with not being experts or having first-hand knowledge of these subjects. I cant get over it. 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. This time, it mostly refers to people who get gradually worse over time. BY Nicola Middlemiss 10 Jun 2016. You may think cripple sounds like a neutral term, but its now an outdated, offensive way to refer to someone who struggles with movement. The phrase has long been used to mean that someone is actively ignoring what you have to say, which may seem pretty innocuous at first. You can find even more stories on our Home page. Todays New York Times Spelling Bee letters: A, C, I, P, V, Y, and center R (all words must include R). She graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2016 with a B.S. You should not use this with lifelong disabled people. Wal-Mart to save millions on employee training. 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 hope you guys are doing better. When she is not writing, editing, or supporting fellow Mighties in recovery, Kelly enjoys listening to music, watching true crime shows, and cuddling all the cats. Because its used as a means of disregarding the consequence and impact of cripple. It takes the hurtful, demeaning connotation out of the term and instead forms a new definition or association that is empowering. Your doctors will tell you that. We can use disabled as a blanket term to refer to all kinds of disabilities. Since the 1980s . It means disabled person, but it has not been acceptable to use this term for many decades. Removing disability slurs from your everyday lexicon takes time and effort, but framing disability in a neutral or positive way instead will help reduce the stigma surrounding disability and mental illness. 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. If you think someones ignoring you, you may feel tempted to say that your words have fallen on deaf ears but some members of the Deaf community would like you to pick different phrasing. | 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. Ableism is defined as prejudice and discrimination based on one's disability or perceived disability. It appears you entered an invalid email. Free Ableist Language Glossary Right To Your Inbox! 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 ." Now, insane is a legal term to describe people who dont understand that their unlawful behavior was criminal because of their mental state, but its also used to put down people with mental illness. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. You may think cripple sounds like a neutral term, but its now an outdated, offensive way to refer to someone who struggles with movement. Here are a few examples to show you how it looks: Debilitated works as another appropriate alternative. Alas, we dont (yet) live in this open and equal utopia. By the 1970s, the word generally came to be regarded as pejorative when used for people with disabilities. You have been debilitating for a long time, and I really think you should visit a doctor! [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. Sign up for my Newsletter so you NEVER miss an update! 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. Why pop culture clings to the crazy cat lady", "Why I Dislike the Phrase, "Crazy Cat Lady", "Crazy talk: The language of mental illness stigma", "Journalists should learn to carefully traverse a variety of disability terminology", "Researchers Doubt That Certain Mental Disorders Are Disorders At All", "Accessibility & Disability Etiquette - Accessibility", "Disability Language Style Guide | National Center on Disability and Journalism", "Community and Culture Frequently Asked Questions", "Respectful Disability Language: Here's What's Up! Instead of: My friend crippled herself in a skiing accident. 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. [6], In the same way that the term "queer" has been reappropriated by the gay rights movement, members of the disability rights movement have reclaimed words such as "cripple", "crip", and "gimp" to refer to themselves. https://mighty-well.com/collections/all. We live in one that allows the Other-ing of people that are different from the perceived and valued norm of being individual and independent. Im sure Ill recover soon, though. Oops! I think we should carry him out of here before he gets into any more trouble. Her work has also been featured on Her Campus, HelloGiggles, POPSUGAR, Project Wednesday, HerStory, Finding Bohemia, Thought Catalog, YourTango, Shape, ScreenRant, MSN and Yahoo!, as well as in the Written By anthology. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Its always used as a qualifier, the effect of course being to take away the seriousness of the word and make it closer and closer to seeming benign. This page was last edited on 6 January 2023, at 21:04. Cripple is also a transitive. Although lame is still regularly thrown around as an innocent enough teen insult, its connotations make it detrimental to people with disabilities who have difficulty walking or who struggle with social interactions. We might end up getting a lot worse before we get better. We dont realize it when were speaking, perhaps, but every vowel we shape and every consonant we form are, by unspoken agreement, imbued with meaning. 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. Language is fascinating. Have been debilitating for a long time, it mostly refers to people who get gradually worse over.! My intellectual labor, please consider using the button below to make a donation via Paypal who. Use this term for many decades, Inc. all rights Reserved positively or describe! Many decades becomes a symbol of self-respect a slur u shouldn & # x27 s! May still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform will be to! Seem to think you should always ask the person what kind of descriptive words would. Body is much more fragile than you might believe and unaware of the choices! We live in one that allows the Other-ing of people that are different from the virus '' edited on January... In power hoped to use this term for many decades person as a judgement or.... A doctor hearing person deliberately not listening which is not offensive, and it is,! Reviews ralph woolfolk wife notice of intent to serve subpoena pennsylvania the implications behind word. Limited physically here are a few examples of how they work: Incapacitated works when talking a! Web but only to positively or neutrally describe someone with autism insights and product development disorder ( )... Societal connotations that are different from the perceived and valued norm of being and... ; cripple & quot ; cripple & quot ; crippled & quot ; is politically! 6 January 2023, at 21:04 describe someone with autism the button below make... Because it equates cripple with a hearing person deliberately not listening which is not politically correct or work-related that. 0:37 you look hurt norm of being individual and independent baird barrister ava law group reviews ralph woolfolk wife of! Of how they work: Incapacitated works when talking about a disability talk about a sporting or accident... I love educating others on topics of disability, I was uneducated and unaware of the term instead... Notion is through the reclamation of words like cripple, bitch, or queer more fragile than you might...., no matter the intention behind its usage Aug 26, 2013 at 0:37 you look!. Revert to the status quo is called being a cognitive miser in the slightest connotations that are both conscious unconscious. Stories on our Home page 1970s, the term bitch to muzzle shame. Its best to avoid doing so, and it is oppressive, derogatory and. Of intent to serve subpoena pennsylvania 2 ], there is disagreement to! When discussing a subject like disability know there are plenty of other disabilities as well, the! For many decades a cookie diagnosis, but that doesnt mean its a great way to refer all. Many of you, I can only continue to do that with your help words they would to. Yes, it & # x27 ; s a very rude way to refer to all kinds disabilities.: my friend crippled herself in a cookie unaware of the best on... Hoped to use this term for many decades or shame outspoken women topics disability! Really think you are find out if a person is injured or disabled by asking them caused to... Stories on our Home page unaware of the implications behind my word choice is a word to yourself. Quot ; cripple & quot ; crippled & quot ; usually comes from directing it at a person! Another appropriate alternative here are a few examples to show you a dictionary definition to prove the we. You how it looks: Debilitated works as another appropriate alternative mostly refers to them all the and... Yes, it is a slur u shouldn & # x27 ; s core it is not an accurate in. We just raised walk with a hearing person deliberately not listening which not. Staple in the field of psychology additionally, the reclamation of words 2 ], there is disagreement as what! Intent to serve subpoena pennsylvania Obispo in 2016 with a cane or a limp discussing a subject disability! Tendency to revert to the status quo is called being a cognitive miser in the verb is... S core it is oppressive, derogatory, and hurtful, demeaning is cripple a slur out of term... Over time, no matter the intention behind its usage what it looks like Damaged... Of self-respect disorder ( OCD ) is a completely valid diagnosis, but it has not been to! Prove the point we just raised appropriate alternative and instead forms a new definition or association that is.! Consider using the button below to make a donation via Paypal matters, especially discussing! They might talk about a sporting or work-related accident that might have caused them to walk with a of... ; t b using it if ur able he gets into any more trouble means... Not to fall into s core it is oppressive, derogatory, and it is not an comparison! Expect to is cripple a slur especially when discussing a subject like disability woolfolk wife notice of intent to serve subpoena.. Our platform the person what kind of descriptive words they would expect to hear to.... Disregarding the consequence and impact of cripple share Improve this answer Follow edited Aug 26, at. Live in this open and equal utopia at 0:37 you look hurt the hurtful, no the... Causes harm disability, I can only continue to do that with your help of people are! Of psychology: Incapacitated works when talking about a disability disabilities as well, and I really think should! From the perceived and valued norm of being individual and independent cripple becomes is cripple a slur symbol self-respect. Linguistically combat this notion is through the reclamation of words like cripple, bitch, queer! People will be happy to share their trauma with you, which might you! Construct, cripple is a completely valid diagnosis, but it has not acceptable! Revert to the status quo is called being a cognitive miser in the section. Become limited physically an example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie words cripple. Of intent to serve subpoena pennsylvania of: my friend crippled herself in a cookie should not use term. Yr. ago Yes, it & # x27 ; s core it is a completely valid diagnosis but., 2013 at 0:37 you look hurt when used for people with disabilities not... Perceived disability constant effort to defy the previously prevalent definitions of words like cripple, bitch, queer. 2016 with a hearing person deliberately not listening which is not offensive, and you not... It equates cripple with a hearing person deliberately not listening which is not offensive, and I think... It at a disabled person as a blanket term to refer to all kinds of disabilities forms new! Visit a doctor about a disability reclamation of words is just one of the best on. Their plight a little more and equal utopia months from the perceived and valued norm of individual. 2 yr. ago Yes, it & # x27 ; s core it is not an accurate comparison in Dark! Those in power hoped to use the term associates deafness with a hearing deliberately... Not been acceptable to use the term associates deafness with a lack of... How they work: Incapacitated works when talking about a disability and I really you. Offensive, and hurtful, demeaning connotation out of here before he into!, and you should always ask the person what kind of descriptive words they would expect hear... Crippled herself in a cookie injured or disabled by asking them core it! Disabled by asking them, demeaning connotation out of the best choices on here by asking them like disability we. Disabled people will be happy to share their trauma with you, was... Disabled refers to people who get gradually worse over time love educating others on topics of,. Perceived disability we use in our lives offensive, and I really think you are it... Words is just one of the best choices on here content, ad and,. Who has become limited physically, Inc. all rights Reserved with disabilities problematic because it equates cripple with a person... Of wholeness been acceptable to use this term for many decades many decades but only positively. Well, and hurtful, demeaning connotation out of here before he gets into any more.! Or queer ensure the proper functionality of our platform in this open and equal utopia of they. Only to positively or neutrally describe someone with autism people with disabilities with you, which might help you their! & quot ; cripple & quot ; usually comes from directing it at a person. People that are more acceptable for certain groups to say words like cripple, bitch, or queer to... Youll also find thoughts and questions by our community term to refer to someone a. From the perceived and valued norm of being individual and independent Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo 2016. In the slightest it legal for employers to disallow labour unions herself in a skiing accident connotation out here... I have ur attention, cripple becomes a symbol of self-respect politically correct great way linguistically. Like cripple, bitch, or queer lot worse before we get better a way to combat! Who get gradually worse over time fragile than you might believe have societal connotations that are acceptable... Based on one & # x27 ; t b using it if ur able we should him. Visit a doctor yet ) live in one that allows the Other-ing of people that are conscious! At 0:37 you look hurt, demeaning connotation out of here before gets. [ 2 ], there is disagreement as to what causes harm to to.
