We already do this with some slurs, right? We can start enforcing these words, too.

Not calling anyone out, I’ve been guilty of it too. And we don’t have to do it all at once. Like, we can start with these:

Ableist words and alternatives.

Stupid, R€tarded, Idiot(ic), Cretin, or Moron(ic): People say this to imply something, or someone isn't intelligent or worth their time, but the words refer to people with intellectual disabilities. Instead, say that a situation or person is frustrating, ignorant, dense, unpleasant, cheesy, or awful.

Dumb: This word refers to a person who doesn't speak verbally, but people often use it to mean that something or someone isn't intelligent or wise. It's listed separately from stupid and its synonyms because it references a physical disability instead of an intellectual one. Try using any of the non-ableist synonyms like irritating or uncool.

Crazy, Nuts, Mad, Psycho, or Insane: "Wow, that's crazy!" may not seem like a harmful statement, but if you think about someone with a mental health condition hearing that statement, it's easy to realize that it is. So instead of using one of those words, try outrageous, bananas, bizarre, amazing, intense, extreme, overwhelming, or wild.

  • dolphin
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    deleted by creator

      • dolphin
        ·
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        deleted by creator

        • ChestRockwell [comrade/them, any]
          ·
          1 year ago

          Agree. All language can become -ist depending on context. If I call the American healthcare system depraved that's a moral judgment that isn't a problem.

          If I were to refer to any of our comrades sexual identity or preferences (outside of pedophilia) as depraved then that would be incredibly cruel as it becomes whatever-phobic.

          Context matters for a lot of these words. Both uses involve a normative claim about morals, one is inoffensive and harmlessness, one should be banworthy.