Jessica PingIntroduction To The Ableist Language Series:
Ableist language perpetuates the inferiority of people with disabilities. At its core, it is oppressive, derogatory, and hurtful, no matter the intention behind its usage.
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I guarantee that you use ableist language every single day without even realizing it. It rolls off the tongue naturally because it’s hardly ever questioned.
Here on The Rolling Explorer, I am going to start questioning it.
As an advocate for disability rights, I was appalled when I realized how common ableist language was in my own vocabulary. Of course, like many of you, I was uneducated and unaware of the implications behind my word choice. Our systemically ableist society has allowed these words and phrases to grow in popularity for too long. It’s time for a change.
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Every other week, I will be sharing a blog post that highlights one of the words from the downloadable glossary above. These posts will provide definitions, explanations, as well as alternative words and phrases to use in place of the one being examined.
Today’s word is “Crazy.” Keep reading to learn why this word is inherently ableist and discover alternatives you can begin to use in its place.
Word of the Week: Crazy
Definitions:
1. mentally deranged; demented; insane.
2. senseless; impractical; totally unsound: a crazy scheme.
3. Informal. intensely enthusiastic; passionately excited: crazy about baseball.
4. Informal. very enamored or infatuated (usually followed by about): He was crazy about her.
How is “Crazy” Ableist Language?
Similarly to Bonkers, crazy has a long, historic connection with mental illness. Crazy is frequently used to discredit others and essentially gaslight them into thinking that they are burdensome in some way. Regardless of intention, anytime you use the word crazy to describe another human being you are attempting to diagnose that person, which is inherently ableist. This action feeds into the stigmatization of mental illness and further isolates those who do have severe mental health conditions.
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When you label someone who is being difficult or challenging as crazy, you don’t do so in a loving and caring way. More likely, you are disgusted or overwhelmed. This attitude adds an additional layer of contempt to the word.
Even when not directly describing another person, the word’s connotation does not fade. Therefore, when you describe a situation or event as being “crazy,” you equate outlandish behavior with someone struggling with mental illness. Essentially, this simultaneously oversimplifies the complexities of mental illness while also creating a stronger shield of protection from the “others” of society.
To put it simply: By using the word crazy in any context, you are helping to develop and build upon a stereotype that has been harmful to millions of people around the world for centuries. There are plenty of other ways to say that you just witnessed something strange or that your girlfriend is upsetting you. Continue reading for some examples!
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Alternative Words To Use Instead:
- Wild
- Irrational
- Ridiculous
- Silly
- Absurd
- Strange
- Unnatural
- Outrageous
- Out of this world
- Exciting
- Infatuated
- Passionate
- Enthusiastic
- Impractical
- Senseless
Alternative Sentences:
Instead of: He was crazy about her.
Try: He was head over heels for her.
Instead of: Their whole family is crazy about baseball.
Try: Their whole family loves baseball. They never miss a game!
Instead of: That will never work, it’s just another crazy scheme.
Try: That’s an impractical plan. Let’s try something else.
Instead of: Women are crazy!
Try: Not gaslighting women 🤗🤗🤗
Why Use Alternative Words and Phrases?
The number one reason you should really consider transitioning “crazy” out of your everyday vocabulary and replacing it with some of the examples above is because of its ableist connection. It really is that simple.
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If you need more reason than that, here is another big one: You will sound more intelligent. Instead of using a catch-all word like “crazy,” you have the opportunity to be more direct and to better address your personal views and beliefs.
Words like “crazy,” are categorized as slang. So, when you use them, by default, you sound conventional. Using the alternative words provided will elevate you both intellectually, and, more importantly, as an ally to the disability community.
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