IQ is a racist and ableist idea. The concept of IQ is connected to a history of deprivation, sterilization, incarceration, and death.

I see a lot of people linking mask-wearing to IQ. /1

2) IQ as an important quality is built in to a lot, and so I see a lot of otherwise well-meaning folks who are usually super alert about language using it specifically. As well as memes and celebrity tweets (Ice T has one right now).

Don't.

3) IQ isn't real except as a way to measure how people do on IQ tests (which rewards white, upper class, non-disabled, men with higher scores). IQ isn't a real measure of intelligence.

4) In fact, all our notions of what intelligence is and isn't comes from ableist ideas about "normal." There are no insults you can use about intelligence that do not have an ableist past and usually contemporary meaning.

5) That includes: the r-word of course, but also moron, idiot, fool, stupid, dumb, and more. [TW ableism]. I understand people really want to categorize the other as less intelligent and I am not telling you to stop (I call out the r-word and 'moron' and let the others go).

6) But actually I wish you would stop it.

7) But let's really try to skip the "mask wearing is an IQ test" meme. Ok? Ok!

Thanks.