Ableist Slurs

Senior Emma Zimmerman, a disabled student, is downright frustrated. She feels as if the AHS community should be far from using ableist slurs.

“It really does make people feel upset. Even if you’re just using it against your friends. Someone in that room is probably disabled, and when you say that [ ableist slurs ], the disabled person may think to themselves, ‘people think I’m less than.’” Zimmerman said.

There are a wide range of ableist slurs, one of them being the r-slur. An article published March 19th 2015 by Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, states that the r-slur is a derogatory term used to describe someone as “slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development.” There are less known ableist slurs that you may look up in your own time to educate yourself.

Ableist slurs have been in the current news due to large celebrities such as Beyoncé and Lizzo. An article from the New York Times published on August 1st, 2022 discussed the use of slurs by both Beyonce and Lizzo in songs by the two artists. They both changed the lyrics of the songs after being told that it was a slur. “Days after the release of her latest album, “Renaissance,” Beyoncé will modify the lyrics of one of its songs, in response to an outcry from disability rights advocates who say the pop star should not have used a word that has historically been employed as a derogatory slur. [...] “Activists condemned the use of the word in social media posts, pointing out that another pop star, Lizzo, had removed the same lyric from a song following similar backlash in June.” The New York Times article said.

Special education teacher Aracely EstradaSoriano, opens up about having a student say the r-slur. They confronted the student, having no tolerance for the use of ableist slurs in their classroom.

“I had a student say the r-slur in my classroom, and they said they were just playing around. I asked the student ‘So are you saying I am also an r-slur?’. The student said no, I notified the student that I suspect that I have a learning disability myself. I embrace my neurodiversity, and how we all learn. I said that ‘you’re also saying that I am also an r-slur because we are all apart of this classroom.’” Soriano said.

Soriano and the student were able to come to common ground. Soriano said the student eventually understood why the use of the r-slur was inappropriate and wrong.

Zimmerman speaks out on her encounters with ableism as an autistic person. They have been called slurs for telling people that they are autistic.

“I have had experience with ableism, I got called a [ ableist slur ]. It’s not immediately obvious that I am autistic, but once they find out they’re like ‘Oh so you’re a [ ableist slur ]’” Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman feels as if those who use ableist slurs will continue to use them nonetheless. It hurts her that people in our community continue to use slurs like these.

“I feel like the people who say it [ ableist slurs ] are going to say it regardless if the school tells them not to. I know most people don’t use ableist slurs against disabled people and mostly use it with their friends but they still think it’s funny and that’s not okay. It sucks. It definitely makes me feel upset that people still think this way. I’ve heard some teachers use ableist slurs, and I hear ableist slurs at least once a day.” Zimmerman said

Principal Angela Webster, believes as a school that we should have discussions about ableism and ableist slurs so that kids are educated. She addresses that student call outs may be unsafe due to fights breaking out.

“As a school we have to have these conversations. I’m sure a lot of kids don’t understand what ableism is, but they should know that using the r-slur is not okay. I’m not ready for other students to call each other out because some students can be immature and that can cause a fight.” Webster said.

Zimmerman advised that teachers should do their part in educating and shutting down those who use ableist slurs. If it’s safe, they also suggest that students should try to confront other students who use ableist slurs.

“I feel like teachers could make an announcement, or shut it down when it happens in the classroom. I’ve heard alot and the teachers don’t do anything. If it’s safe for you to confront someone if they’re using a slur or when someone is bullying a disabled person, you should confront them. Non-disabled people should also confront those who do these things since they are more likely to be listened to.” Zimmerman said.

Webster, too, stated that adults should have a conversation with students. She also conveyed that she wants to bring up this issue with the groups she’s working with.

“An adult can have that conversation with a student. This is something I would like to talk to my culture and climate group, and my principle cabinet group about.” Webster said. “We are going to start pulling students where you guys can talk about various topics and concerns that you have on your campus.”

Soriano also deduced that teachers and staff are in charge of making AHS a safe and welcoming learning environment.

“As teachers we’re often in our classrooms just teaching but when we step out into the hallway we need to be watchful and active if something happens to catch it and address it.” Soriano said. “If we stay bystanders that’s how it begins to fester so we do need everyone - counselors, parents, custodians, we’re all responsible for building a safe place for our students.”

Soriano did not ignore the student who was using the r-slur in their classroom, they chose to stop and educate.

“An academic lesson can wait but a life lesson cannot.” Soriano said.

This QR code contains Ableist language and Alternate words for educational purposes