this post was submitted on 30 May 2024
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This is interesting to think about because I might be one of the last generations of people who existed physically with one another more often than we would text or message one another. Since my old man hat is on, back in my day if you let one fly like this there were immediate social consequences. Everyone would go silent and look at you in disapproval and the person who was really invested in expunging the word would, at that moment, explain why saying that word was unacceptable. The person who said it of course wouldn't have a change of heart, but they would learn that if they wanted to participate socially they would have to watch their language.
Now that it costs $100 to leave the house and most socialization takes place behind in a non-rich communication medium there isn't really a consequence like there used to be. In most online "communities" no one is actually in community with one another and have no reason to be pro-social other than wanting to be pro-social. Trolling has always been a problem, but now that more of the population in general is communicating primarily on the channels where trolling is happening, trolling is now a political and social problem.
Back in my day people were throwing the r word around without consequences. Basically using it as a synonym for idiot or dumbass. It didn't start being brought up as an issue until well into my adulthood. I don't really associate it with people who are disabled because of that. That being said I try not to use it now.
I really do think about this from time to time as to why we ever even used this word. I grew up the same as you where we all said it and used it as a replacement word for "ass" in situations where cussing wasn't allowed but you needed a word that hit a bit harder than calling someone stupid. I can't ever remember a time anyone I knew using it as a slur because someone would beat your ass if you got caught bullying anyone disabled. Now that I know that it is offensive I don't use it. But for me it's a bit weird fully relating to the current perception of the word in today's society because I still have mostly positive memories of goofing off with friends associated with it.
Stupid was a medical term similar to the r word. It got replaced because people started using it as a slur. So did the r word. I wonder if people will start using neurodivergent or some other term as a slur, forcing the medical community to adopt another term once more.
I agree. The same thing with the words idiot and moron. I find the whole evolution and usage of words to be fascinating.
Dumb too, but it meant mute. Quite weird this one.