While the “N” word is known as one of the most racial, degrading, down right worst words you can use towards a black person, the “C” word is not. In fact the word Crippled is used by the media and our society daily. Though in the dictionary it is listed as “a person who is disabled or impaired in any way” (dictionary.com) I find this word to be as offensive as the “N” word. So why is that the word which has as much racial history for the disabled as the “N” word does for African Americans, is used by our society in such a free way? Don’t get me wrong, I use the word daily, in fact I wont lie, I love to use the word, but shouldn’t it be part of the Golden Rule of words that only certain people associated with there minority can say? And Yes, I am disabled. I would love to hear what people think and what your version of the word “Crippled” means to you.
Is the “N” word as bad as the “C” word (Crippled)
April 4, 2008 by 2LessLegs
12 Responses
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I’ve never really thought about the origins of the word.
I use it to describe a hangover, “I have a crippling hangover or headache; or with money, “The company is financially crippled”.
I think growing up, disabled people were: handicapped, physically challenged, physically impaired, or disabled.
Maybe I think of Tiny Tim in “A Christmas Carol” as the poor little cripple boy, but not in everyday life.
words like: gypped – I got gypped at the store. (gypsy)
indian summer- because it comes late.
going Dutch- because they supposedly cheap.
and others I can’t think of now (but they are out there) started out with racial or negative meanings.
But now, for many people, the original meaning has been lost or for them was never connected to the word.
I have a take on this issue but I won’t type it out here. You’ll have to read it at:
http://treadmarkz.wordpress.com/2008/01/21/the-word-cripple/
I am a little concerned about some things though. You said that you use the word all of the time but you feel that it is just as bad as the “N” word.
Also if you are concerned about the free use of the word, why doesnt it bother you to use it? It’s mostly disabled people who use it, just as it is predominantly “African-American/black people who use the N word. And no I don’t think that only certain people should be allowed to use certain words. That’s crazy. We all just need to look at our intentions with words, and check our prejudices, that’s all.
PS: people with disabilities are not a “race”. Read through your posting and you will see why I said that.
And in response the last comment, do you seriously think anyone says indian summer, gypped, or going dutch because they hate Indians, GYPSIES, or the Dutch?
Treadmarkz, I use the word because I am disabled and like African Americans, I reserve the right to use the word at my discretion, the same way they use the “N” word. I am not out here preaching that it is a horrible word and that no one should use it, I am saying is that the word Crippled has a similar racial background as the “N” word and should not be allowed to be said on national television/radio the same way the “N” word can’t. Of course people use both words, but at least the “N” word is used with the up most discretion, unlike Crippled, where it is used anywhere, at any time. And yes, I know that people with disabilities are not a race and if I accidentally wrote that than woops, in fact we are one of the biggest minorities in the world and we need to start acting like it.
Ok ok, I did not come here as an antagonist. But how do we “act like” the biggest minority group in the world? I think we need to act like we belong in the same world as everyone else. I am sure you would agree, right?
That is a great question. How do we get the word across that we are as productive, important, reliable, able, and most of all equal as everyone else in the world? I honestly believe that the internet is one of the biggest tools we have accessible to us. You have the world at your finger tips. So using the internet how do we than get our word across? Websites, blogs, advertisements, videos, etc… The reason I wrote a few of my older blogs, particularly “Wheelchair Sports vs. Scrabble” is to show that disabilities are left out of the lime light. Sports is a great stepping stone because pretty much anyone can relate to sports, and its easier to talk about than disabled rights or disabled advocacy or better yet disabled laws. Someone, some where in this world has to find a way to be the MLK of disabled community, I am just trying to find a way how.
I haven’t read that posting that you mentioned. I just may. What I meant to say though is that sure we need to be very aware of our disabilities (limitations) personally so we take care of ourselves (its true, and its okay), and when we are with other disabled people. But why act like minorities when we are out in the world, thereby reinforcing our “differentness”. Why play the game that non-disabled people expect us to play? If we don’t, then “cripple” is just a descriptive word, not a slander
That is all. This is way off your original topic and I will stop taking up all of your time now.
Dustin, no matter what you are called, negative or positive, it is you who has a right to react however way you want. You are a strong and independent man so “yes” you would be offended if someone called you a cripple. You of all people know though that if someone can get money or some kind of gain in life they will use the word to their advantage. Keep up the good work on your website, I am very proud of you, Corina
[...] read a blog posting by Dusiteen where he says that he is looking for the Martin Luther King of the disabled community. A great idea [...]
Treadmarkz:
“But now, for many people, the original meaning has been lost or for them was never connected to the word.”
You don’t read to the end do you?
Originally, these were slags on Indians, Gypsies, and the Dutch.
Your right. I find the word crippled totally degrading and rude. Im disabled, so many people don’t get why I take such offence to the word. But, when I think crippled I get to thinking of someone whos been majorly injured in a war; or (Im sorry to be rude) but someone majorly injured in a freak accident. I just woke up, and couldn’t walk properly so I don’t agree that Im what people would call crippled. Try using the word “DISABLED” it’s a lot nicer in my opinion.
im 21 and paralysed from a motorcycle accedent and i could care less what word is used. whether its crippled or physicly retarded. i think that if tour strong minded you can look past the words people use and focuse on how you interprit them. you want to be treated like everyone else? start acting like it. able bodied people make fun of one another on a regular bassis and make jokes and say words that are offesive to one another and just brush it off. it seems like when people get hurt and get a dissability that they start feeling sorry for themselves and start taking everything to heart. let it go. my frieds use it, i use it, i could care less who else uses it.
if someone makes fun of me with the intention to hurt my feelings, im sure they would have said somthing just as bad if i wasnt in a wheelchair. i let it go.
“you are only as strong as your mind”
just to be clear, im not a push over by any means. i still throw down, but the use of words or actions to me because of my dissability is not my concern. people arnt prejiduice towards people in wheelchairs. their just prejiduce. they would be just as mean to anyone else. suck it up and stop miking it.