This comment was left on a post by William Peace on his blog, Bad Cripple. Therextras wrote " Thank you for an excellent expose of a typical media dissemination of language and attitudes we would like not only to reform but squelch. I hope you sent some response directly to the newspaper."
Team [with]tv would like to second that remark.
Here is an excerpt from William's post.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Disability and LanguageYesterday a long article appeared in the New York Times entitled "Taking a Chance on a Second Child". The article was written by Michael Winerip, a Pulitzer Prize wining writer. Mr. Winerip is a seasoned reporter, graduate of Harvard University and a gifted writer. Yet a day later I remain stunned and outraged by the language Winerip used. The article in question is about Jordana Holovach, her son Jacob who is severely disabled, and her decision to have a second "healthy" child.
The tone of Winerip's article is shocking. Each and every mention of disability is overwhelmingly negative. The language is antiquated, insulting, and devalues the life of a child and by extension all disabled children and adults. Among the snippets I found particularly appalling include the following:
In referring to Ms. Holovach's son: "And as much as she loves that boy and as hard as she's worked to make him whole...she felt snake bit"
Ms. Holovach's son is "confined to a wheelchair".
Ms. Holovach's son was responsible for her divorce: "Her first marriage ended in divorce under the strain" and "Jacob was a big reason".
Before Ms. Holovach's son was born "they were successful people" (note tense).
Oh don't stop here. Keep reading, there is more....
Then stop by Patricia E Bauer's blog for this additional link.
