Hey internet, using the 'r' word is still not acceptable. It doesn't matter how irritated you are with someone, how frustrating they are being. It feels like some folk believe an embargo has been lifted, and across the political spectrum I am seeing it cropping up more and more. Let's just not. - ThreadSky

sachacoward.bsky.social • 35 days ago

Hey internet, using the 'r' word is still not acceptable. It doesn't matter how irritated you are with someone, how frustrating they are being.

It feels like some folk believe an embargo has been lifted, and across the political spectrum I am seeing it cropping up more and more.

Let's just not.

Comments

kilometer780.bsky.social•35 days ago

“Dimwitted shitlark” is acceptable I hope 🤞🏻

iainmarley.bsky.social•35 days ago

Hear hear.

sachacoward.bsky.social•35 days ago

I taught in a special needs classroom in a high school for a year, I always found the word distasteful but it really hammered home how cruel it is.

You know who doesn't care about the word? That anonymous person you insulted.
You know who it actually hurts? Some completely innocent bystander.

sachacoward.bsky.social•35 days ago

I'm aware the right and a-political teenage edge lords use it frequently, they've never stopped. But I am seeing it in leftist spaces, amongst people defending trans rights, or Palestine. We don't need to throw disabled people and those with a developmental delay under the bus for cheap shots.

flootdraws.bsky.social•35 days ago

Well fkn said ♥️

sachacoward.bsky.social•35 days ago

I'm aware finger shaky 'language policing' is seen as morally superior nonsense by many, but hear me out. Would you whole heartedly walk up to a loved one with a disability or a developmental delay and say that word to their face?

Then why are you using it so freely behind their back?

sachacoward.bsky.social•35 days ago

PS I am not immune to casual ableism, I am still unlearning a lot of phrases relating to people I think have weird ideas, or behave irrationally or without logic. I am not claiming some shiny golden moral high ground.

owenblacker.bsky.social•35 days ago

Hear hear. Thank you, cariad

dominustempori.bsky.social•35 days ago

Sadly I think many people using that word are bullies so probably would whole heartedly walk up to a loved one and say it to their face...

sachacoward.bsky.social•35 days ago

Some people are hardened to cruelty, but in many instances it's people who simply aren't thinking about the significance of what they're saying. (That doesn't absolve them btw) If you're defending queer people and using that term I believe you really haven't done any introspection...

dominustempori.bsky.social•35 days ago

Absolutely not defending using that word, at all.
Merely observing that some people use it callously and will continue to do so whatever emotive appeal you make to them.

cjyorkauthor.bsky.social•34 days ago

My mom just said this recently and I got on her case and she was like 'it's just a word' and I had to say something. I think she won't use it around me at least.

dominustempori.bsky.social•35 days ago

Not sure which r word you mean... (the one you might innocuously use in French if you're running late?)