I actually just thought that since you'd mentioned the difficulties associated with "crazy", you'd almost certainly read something cogent on the subject.
I have, I linked it :) But no, I don't have a very deep understanding, to a large extent I'm working from general principles about power and representation and then learning the specifics of how it applies to disability.
The thing is: I'm not talking about public policy. I'm not even trying to say definitely what other people should and shouldn't say on ethical grounds. Because I'm not qualified to make those decisions. (I don't recall ever encountering ablist language which applies to me personally) The principle I work from though, and which I am going to try to enforce here is that if people with mental illness, say, claim to find "crazy" hurtful (and from the evidence I've seen, a moderate number of them do) then they don't need to justify it. You can choose not to stop using the word, but you can't deny that they find it hurtful, even if you can't understand why it would be.
I am personally trying to avoid language which I have gotten the impression people find hurtful or damaging, and working through my thoughts publicly to get feedback and encourage other people to think about the issues and make up their own minds based on the opinions of people who suffer as a result of ablist language (ie not me). As to public policy etc, I would listen to what disabled rights etc organisations etc say.
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Re: Joint reply to make the conversation easier to keep track of
I have, I linked it :) But no, I don't have a very deep understanding, to a large extent I'm working from general principles about power and representation and then learning the specifics of how it applies to disability.
The thing is: I'm not talking about public policy. I'm not even trying to say definitely what other people should and shouldn't say on ethical grounds. Because I'm not qualified to make those decisions. (I don't recall ever encountering ablist language which applies to me personally) The principle I work from though, and which I am going to try to enforce here is that if people with mental illness, say, claim to find "crazy" hurtful (and from the evidence I've seen, a moderate number of them do) then they don't need to justify it. You can choose not to stop using the word, but you can't deny that they find it hurtful, even if you can't understand why it would be.
I am personally trying to avoid language which I have gotten the impression people find hurtful or damaging, and working through my thoughts publicly to get feedback and encourage other people to think about the issues and make up their own minds based on the opinions of people who suffer as a result of ablist language (ie not me). As to public policy etc, I would listen to what disabled rights etc organisations etc say.