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RE: In Which I Picked Up A Comment Card
I've even read that "differently abled" isn't the most polite term, because it still focuses on the ability instead of on the person. When in doubt, I just try to use person-first language and ask people's preferences in terms of phrasing and how they identify.
read it where? This is not as clear cut as you may think. The National Federation of the Blind adopted a resolution in 1993 condemning people-first language. The resolution dismissed the notion that "the word 'person' must invariably precede the word 'blind' to emphasize the fact that a blind person is first and foremost a person" as "totally unacceptable and pernicious" and resulting in the exact opposite of its purported aim, since "it is overly defensive, implies shame instead of true equality, and portrays the blind as touchy and belligerent".
Fine. Then when a blind person or person who is blind asks me to use the term they prefer, I will use it. But "retarded" is never acceptable and neither is your persistent mansplaining. I don't know what you think you're accomplishing by lecturing us but you aren't changing any minds by using offensive terminology and then projecting on us that we are the ones being offensive.
I used 'retarded' (which I ameliorated within the same sentence) to contrast with 'creepy', a expression directed at someone with a disability. While retardation is a clinical term in medicine, creepy is a modern expression to show disgust. Did I in any way bring gender into this discussion? Your reaction is totally out in left field. If anyone is condescending, it is you trying to berate me what is 'politically correct' without you having the slightest comprehension of the meaning and content of one simple sentence. What I tried to express (and maybe that went way over your head) was that a choice of words such as 'creepy' is demeaning, by using a similarly unacceptable word which I ameliorated to show the difference. Of course nothing I might say could likely change your attitude toward men (boys), and in this specific case against a boy with a disability. Even though I am repetitive within this reply, I do not expect you to understand, so I consider this discussion closed.
"Creeped out" is how she felt. "Politically correct" is often confused for being compassionate and respectful by people who don't want to be. Objecting to someone's lecturing and offensive language is not "berating." And you will not speak to either of us like we're simply too stupid to understand you. Go away.