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(frozen comment) Re: Um. Ableism?

[(Anonymous)]

DA. Question, did the term only become 'offensive' to Americans due to cross cultural communication? I've always used spaz, I don't found it offense. It's like the word wanker to me. It's kind of meaningless.

(frozen comment) Re: Um. Ableism?

[(Anonymous)]

Op
Is it possible that it's meaningless because you use it without knowing what it means? Either way insulting someone or something by equating it to masturbating is hardly the same thing as negatively equating something to a disability.

As for when people started being offended. It's hard to say cos you'll get a different answer from different people. Some will say it's always been offensive outside of it's medical use but it's only communication with people from other ccountries that's created the social movement to get it stamped out of daily vocabulary. Then you get some people who say awareness has worked both ways
It's only the past 10 years that "coloured" has become nationally recognised as offensive in the UK and saying it regardless of intent is considered racist. Say it in an American space and get piled on. Say it as a 60 year old in Blackpool... aware people might wince but hey, it wasn't meant in a bad way so what's the problem? Tranny is another one.

We take our cues from America on a lot of issues, I don't understand why it doesn't work both ways, especially when disabled Americans want it too.

(frozen comment) Re: Um. Ableism?

[(Anonymous)]

I'm American. I work in mental health and have several physical and mental disabilities.

I find the term very offensive. My opinion has nothing to do with cross-cultural communication, and everything to do with the etymology of the word. It trivializes a medical symptom that can tremendously impact people's lives on every level.