Wow! I haven't gotten as much reaction since I said that groups do not
exist. But:
On Fri, 28 Jan 2000, Maria Barile wrote:
> David :
> What is the offensive part... Is it the words, the historical intent
> behind them ? Or denial of whom we have fought to be?
All of them. The words represent the intent and our denial as well as
attempts to segregate, make dependent, and so on.
> Forgive my line of reasoning, but... what is the point of having people
> with or without disabilities, use words that have no meaning for them?
As I said in my reply to Mairian, I can discuss with a person who is
using words which are offensive to me. I will try to convince that person
that the words are offensive and why. I am not always successful.
> For
> me using "woman with disabilities" reflects my own analysis of having
> reclaimed the identities of womanhood that I felt had been ignored, and
> denied in the past and the reality of multiple impairment(s) . This is my
> understanding, my realities, and not the politically correct thing.
But I never advocated doing the politically correct thing. I oppose
political correctness and do not equate it with my feelings about what
words are offensive.
> Often I
> hear/ see people using the same words, but then their analysis is so 1940
> about the "real place" of people with disabilities in all area of life that
> I wonder what's the point of using politically correct language without a
> real understanding and self-analysis?
I completely agree with you. What in my message suggested otherwise?
[snip]
> I realize that the initial question was about journalism students. They will
> in fact be in position of power. What if they wrote:
> "People with disabilities, are stealing work from non-disabled people...
> does it make a difference if that read the disabled or other pejorative
> word ?
Again, where did this question come from?
David
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David Pfeiffer, Ph.D.
Resident Scholar
Center on Disability Studies
University of Hawai`i at Manoa
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Center on Disability Studies....maximizing individual
potential by encouraging independence, self-determination,
and full participation in the community.
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