Guest column by Rev. Christopher Snow| FāVS News Columnist
Soon after the press conference where President Trump announced a link between autism and acetaminophen, I began seeing post after post across social media platforms sharing the same—or very similar—meme that read, “I will not take health advice from someone who cannot pronounce acetaminophen.” These posts referenced President Trump’s (and possibly RFK Jr.’s) difficulty pronouncing acetaminophen, opting instead for the more familiar brand name.
Each time one of those memes makes its quick, punchy point, it reinforces the use of ableist language — language that targets a person’s speech ability — as an easy way to score a political jab at Trump.
It’s also worth noting that many of the same people sharing these memes likely defended President Biden when he was mocked for his well-documented speech disorder and lifelong stutter.
A personal perspective on speech challenges
Now something that you need to know about me; I was born deaf, and while I have made adaptations to my environment, I do still have a speech impairment. It’s an impairment that I have worked tirelessly to overcome through speech therapy and constantly monitoring my speech and word choice, to the point that I avoid speaking certain words as I know they will cause me issues, even at 41 years of age.
Even though I am someone who has earned a master’s of divinity and am currently the solo pastor of a local church, one of the first things that is at the forefront of my mind is how I can make myself best understood. At times that means simplifying the words I want to use.
Over the course of my life, I have had my own intelligence questioned by peers and “professionals” alike, on the basis of my spoken language. I have been called slow or stupid just because of my speech. So, when I see friends and acquaintances sharing a meme stating that they would not trust the word of someone who cannot pronounce a word that is not simple, I can’t help but wonder if that attitude carries over into their relationships with individuals who might have a disability impacting their speech?
We easily jump to making these quick statements without thinking about their effect on those within the disability community. In some ways because it is a part of our culture. We utilize language of disability on a regular basis with negative connotations. While some words have become taboo to say in “polite” society like the “R” word, others are so prevalent that they remain in not only secular spaces but also sacred ones.
Navigating Scripture and sacred spaces
However, when it comes to language, it is on us to take the time to evaluate what language we remain comfortable using, and that does carry over into our sacred spaces. There are times where I have to decide how I will utilize scripture verses that utilize language of disability with negative connotations. From Psalm 19:7, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple…” to the Gospel of Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed…” (The use of blind in the Luke text is positioned within a list of various other negative conditions, while also not naming any of the other disabilities that are addressed in the Gospel.) (Scriptures quoted from NRSVUE.)
I have to choose whether or not I will make edits to the scriptures and hymns that are used on a given Sunday. Will I leave the words as they are and then address them in my sermons or not? Will I just let it be?
We might simply glance over these texts as, “Oh that is just how things were at the time” or “It’s not that bad.” But, say that to someone who has had that language utilized to undermine their worth. Say that to someone in order to remove the understanding that they, too, are bearers of the Imago Dei (Image of God). Say that to someone who has had their disability used, by their wider community, to limit their potential. Say that to someone who is afraid to bring their child with a disability to your place of worship because they do not know how they will be received and just want to know that a church/synagogue/temple/etc. will be safe enough to let down their guard.
Starting With Our Words
The easiest place for us all to start in addressing ableism within our communities is the language that we utilize. Instead of reaching for the low-hanging fruit that rolls off the tip of our tongue, like the meme that got me started here, or using language of disability to speak down to another child of God, we can do the hard work of monitoring what words we choose to use — in our everyday lives, our sacred places, on social media.
I can already hear the comments saying that to monitor our own language is anti-free speech. Or it is woke run amuck. Or PC/cancel culture getting out of hand. I would push back and instead name that being mindful of the language we use that is harmful to individuals we may have a close relationship with. This is the easiest way to affirm that they, too, are a child of God. It is the easiest way to show that we care and respect them for who they are.
The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News. FāVS News values diverse perspectives and thoughtful analysis on matters of faith and spirituality.
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