I think you misunderstand a little… I am someone that grew up riding the short bus. I have been on the receiving end of this kind of ableism all my life, even before I knew it was a thing or what to call it. That’s why it pisses me off so much anytime some person or forum or whatever discourages use of specific words - it’s not helpful and often tends to backfire and hurt the people you’re so valiantly trying to defend.
Then I am sorry you have internalized the idea that you are part of a class of people who will always be derided because of what you are and that you have learned to accept less. That is a terrible place to be. I can understand rhe drive for comfort in the face of what seems like overwhelming odds.
But for overall movements seeking to make things better, accepting the enemy’s frame of mind just isn’t acceptable. This tension will exist as long as the advocacy remains strong. It exists in my group as well and going softly into that good night never ends well for people like us. We have to work as hard as we do to convince people we are human and worth consideration.
I think you misunderstand a little… I am someone that grew up riding the short bus. I have been on the receiving end of this kind of ableism all my life, even before I knew it was a thing or what to call it. That’s why it pisses me off so much anytime some person or forum or whatever discourages use of specific words - it’s not helpful and often tends to backfire and hurt the people you’re so valiantly trying to defend.
Then I am sorry you have internalized the idea that you are part of a class of people who will always be derided because of what you are and that you have learned to accept less. That is a terrible place to be. I can understand rhe drive for comfort in the face of what seems like overwhelming odds.
But for overall movements seeking to make things better, accepting the enemy’s frame of mind just isn’t acceptable. This tension will exist as long as the advocacy remains strong. It exists in my group as well and going softly into that good night never ends well for people like us. We have to work as hard as we do to convince people we are human and worth consideration.