CN: ableist slur

Keep seeing the ableist slur "stupid" on this website today.

I don't need you to tell me you're trying to stop using ableist language but it's hard.

I know it's hard.

Being someone whose language doesn't reinforce ableist oppression is worth it.

It's also important to know that when people point out your ableist language, the goal is not to make you feel bad.

Even if it feels like that in the moment (and it might), it's not actually about you, except to the extent that people who care about you want you to do better.

What it's about is an entire system of oppression and the way ableist language contributes to and reflects that system.

And the way you have the power to change things, even in just a small way, by changing the words you use.

CN: ableist slur

Please don't reply to me just to say "I don't think 'stupid' is an ableist slur."

Chances are you haven't thought about this very much and just don't want to feel like there's ANOTHER word you're "not allowed" to use.

CN: ableist slur

If you disagree that 'stupid' is an ableist slur, it's still not going to cost you ANYTHING to let it go.

There are lots of words. Find ones that more specifically convey your meaning instead of ones that have the potential to contribute to oppression.

I have explained many times over the last few years how ableist slurs work and what makes words ableist slurs.

I'm really not interested in debating it.

Related: https://twitter.com/EbThen/status/1253786820074242049

1. I don't like it when people thread in the mentions of my threads.

2. I have written and thought a lot about this.

Here is one shorter thread on the subject. I have many more. https://twitter.com/EbThen/status/892540719772184580