If you think words like “stupid,” “dumb” or “lame” are ableist slurs, then you are an idiot. Oh no, is idiot an ableist slur too? *rolls eyes*

Those words haven’t been used to describe mentally/physically disabled people in such a long time, and as a disabled person, it seriously pisses me off that people from tumblr think it’s more important to avoid using a bunch of (mostly harmless) words instead of facing actual problems in our society regarding disabled people (e.g. lack of wheelchair access at certain schools and other public buildings, the stigmas and stereotypes surrounding disabled people, the fact that many carers are physically and mentally drained because caring for another is a full-time job with no vacation time, the fact that many severely disabled people end up in nursing homes for the elderly rather than age-appropriate disability homes, etc)

Nope, instead we are told the most important thing is that nobody should use words like “stupid” or “dumb” or “lame” because it might offend mentally and physically disabled people. Are you fucking serious!? Does nobody seem to get how how fucking offensive that is?! People with mental disabilities aren’t stupid, people with physical disabilities aren’t lame, and these word should never be used that way!

Using them as a way to describe or insult disabled people is so ridiculously out-of-date that not even Mr Burns from The Simpsons would use them in that way! Nowadays they’re common words. They’ve evolved to have completely new meanings. It’s okay to say “ugh, I’m so stupid” after flunking a test. Everybody KNOWS you don’t mean “I’m as stupid as a mentally disabled person!” But by associating them with mentally/physically disabled people, you’re basically TURNING those words into slurs. Now whenever someone says that “stupid” and “idiot” are ableist, the first thought when someone hears that word is disabled people. Mentally and physically disabled people should never even cross your mind when you use those words!

Ableism isn’t a bunch of words that some tumblr blogger put together to “educate"able-bodied people on how not to offend those with disabilities. Ableism is remaining ignorant to genuine issues in our society regarding disabilities and disability care. Ableism is associating words like "stupid” and “lame” with people like me.

And if you call me ableist for saying you’re stupid, I’ll hit you with my cane!