to see that people i considered myself to be decently good friends with, close or not, use such a historically cruel word as if it’s just another swear or phrase genuinely saddens me.
the R slur is not just another word, and it’s not something you can causally toss around as if there isn’t history behind it explaining the cruelty it’s caused for so many people, predominantly those who are intellectually disabled. it is not a word to replace the term stupid or dumb with. and it’s definitely not a word you use to refer to your favourite influencer or person.
as adults, i would hope that we know by now, the power our words hold, whether or not they’re affecting those they’re directed at or someone just scrolling through their phone. if someone who just happens to scroll by a post with the slur it in, and they’ve been upset by it. even if they’re not directly affected by that word, what would that mean for someone who is targeted and affected by that word due to their disability?
those who can genuinely reclaim that word still choose not to for a reason, and it’s because how cruel it is, it’s because of what the word means and stands for. and there is a group of very specific disabilities that are able to reclaim it, and the autism community does not fit into the group that can reclaim it. autistic people cannot and should not ever reclaim the r slur.
edit: autistic people can reclaim the slur, if they have other comorbid disabilities, meaning if they have an/another intellectual disability alongside their autism.
to call someone that very slur, you’re not only demeaning and dehumanizing the person you’re calling it, you’re giving the word more power to continue dehumanizing an entire community of people. you’re reducing people to nothing more than their disabilities. you’re turning their disabilities into something to use as an insult, when that’s not the case. but what it does do, is make you an ableist.
to be ableist is to view yourself as though you’re above those with disabilities, is to put people with disabilities down. they are human. they are people. we’re all human, we’re all people. no one is better than anyone.
your words reflect who you are as a person. they reflect your character, and if you’re so comfortable as to use such a disgusting word, as if it’s nothing, what do you think that means? we need to think about what we say when we’re posting for so many people to see because our words affect everyone, wether they’re directly involved in the conversation or not. you need to be mindful, observant, and a little more wary about what you say.
i don’t know how someone can feel okay using that word, and this is making me reflect on who i surround myself with and who i associate with, because i don’t stand with cruel behaviour like this. i don’t agree with people using these words. every space i create, online and in person, is meant to be a safe space for those around me, for every person, for every group of people. i welcome everyone into my life, whether you’ve got a disability or not, and i want you to feel safe. i don’t defend using slurs, and because of this, i will absolutely distance myself from those involved, especially if they cannot see why people are upset.
to those that have been hurt by todays actions, even though i am not involved in the group nor was i involved in the conversation, i apologize. that word should never be used, by anyone. and if you are hurt by that word, i am so sorry. i can’t take away a lifetime of hurt caused by the r slur, but i can help by standing with you and helping your voice be heard.
to those that thought it was okay to post that and to the person that said it, please be better. please do better as a human being. take time to really, seriously, reflect on your actions. take time and this experience to grow as a human. realize that your actions do have consequences. poor actions don’t necessarily make you a bad person, but if they become a pattern without any genuine change, which these actions are starting to become a pattern, then you need to work on yourself.
edit: also, how can you claim to be a fan of the triplets, and yet say such mean and hateful things about them? how can you claim to be a fan and constantly call them ugly, stupid, and even call them fat, when they are nowhere near any of those things, especially not fat. again, your words won’t affect just them, but everyone that sees what you say.
