Twice this past month when I've been out in my power chair, a truck or car went by and a man or woman cried out ableist epithets.
Hey you -ugly cripple!
Has anyone told you that you're disgusting today?
A week ago I was rolling along on a main street and a voice out of nowhere called out an ableist epithet to a disabled friend I was sitting with.
Freak! Freak! Freak!
I looked through the crowd but couldn't find anyone. He said to me "Oh, I have that all the time." He gets around on a scooter and spends most of the day outside.
This kind of name calling is cowardly, often done in a way that ensures one thing: the offender doesn't get caught. I guess you could call it driveby bullying.
When we label people, we objectify them, we dehumanize them. When we hurl names at them openly in front of others, there's a line crossed that is unacceptable.
I see this behavior as a reflection on those who do it, not on me. It's not even personal.
They don't even know who I am.
The sad thing is, as long as they continue to view the world we all inhabit in these narrow ways, they never will.
4 comments:
I think it would be helpful and instructive if you'd actually reveal sone of these "ableist" epithets so that readers can get a better sense of what's coming at you.
Okay....will do.
"...there's a line crossed that is unacceptable."
Well, Ruth, that's one way to put it.
I'd like to grab them by the shirt collar and shake them senseless. But, that may be redundant.
I love your attitude.
BG- thanks...
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