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Paul, I would be very interested in any references you could send regarding the disabilist use of language. Can anyone else point me in any directions? Thanks Steve Steve McKenna Community Psychology Group Department of Psychology University of Stirling Stirling, FK9 4LA Scotland (+44) (0)1786 467683 Direct Line (+44) (0)1786 467641 Fax http://www.psynet.net/steve.mckenna -----Original Message----- From: Paul [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 05 December 2002 2:19 pm To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [COMMUNITYPSYCHUK] Oppressive Language Yes I find it offensive language too Rebekah. You do appear in a difficult situation in terms of your insecure employment contract. Is the invitation you refer to open to members of staff only or is it also open to friends and partners of members of staff. If the latter, this could provide a way into raising the issue - ie. it is not only about how the deparment is representing itself to itself, it is also about how the department represents itself to teh wider community. Arguing from the perspective of the latter might afford you some protection, but still enable you to raise the issue - ie. you are worried about how the department is presenting itself to others and your anticipation that the department might harm's it own reputation by usign such terminology. This way you could position yourself as someone trying to help the department avoid a problem rather than it being about you 'creating' a problem. I suppose beware of being marginalised, individualised and ulitmately institutionalised by your department. Psychologists have a whole toolbag at their disposal to do this to you. There is a good literature on the disabilist use of language. I can try and dig out references if you like You've taught me much about working in a non-oppressive way, i'm delighted to support you on this issue in any way I can. Could I copy this to a couple of critical psychologists who work in an around mental health issues (Ian Parker & Erica Burman) to seek their support for you too? - but risks making it more public than you are able to make it at present? p Paul Duckett Community Psychologist Department of Psychology and Speech Pathology Elizabeth Gaskill Building Manchester Metropolitan University Hathersage Road Manchester M13 0JA +44 161 247 2552 +44 161 247 6364 e-mail [log in to unmask] -- The University of Stirling is a university established in Scotland by charter at Stirling, FK9 4LA. Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not disclose, copy or deliver this message to anyone and any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. In such case, you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply email. Please advise immediately if you or your employer do not consent to Internet email for messages of this kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of the University of Stirling shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.