Silence, Slurs, and Stigma
Recently, President Donald Trump made headlines when he posted on Truth Social an attack on Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota that used a slur for those with intellectual disabilities. While we aren’t interested in the policy issues behind the President and Gov. Walz’s disagreements, we do want to talk about the use of that word, the “r” word.
In recent years, disability advocates have pointed out the stigmatizing and derogatory nature of that word. However, in recent years, some have started using it as an insult again as they push back against what they see as “woke” approaches. President Trump’s use in his post continues that trend.
Yet, regardless of how people feel about the “woke vs anti-woke debate,” there should be no debate about this ugly slur. Too many, even among those who care for disability rights, stay silent amid the use of such slurs. And in so doing, they continue feeding the stigma that causes too many to struggle.
President Trump’s post also contained ugly, racially charged attacks on the Somali community. This was a reference to a recent corruption scandal in Minnesota. However, criminal fraud is committed by individuals, not by ethnicities. As with the President’s use of a slur for intellectual disabilities, this language has no place in proper conversation. We recognize that President Trump has a specific agenda and that many people support that agenda. That agenda is not helped by the use of slurs and hate language.
The LegalMind Society is deeply committed to advocating across multiple levels of the legal system and government for a reduction in stigmatizing language and behavior. That is why we are speaking out about this post. Too many who struggle with mental health conditions are harmed by such slurs, and we cannot stay silent about that.
President Trump’s administration has taken some positive steps toward a more inclusive society, such as signing the legislation that created 988 in his first term. We applaud his action on that important issue. We would call on him to recognize that the language he uses in his everyday comments also impacts the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Similarly, it is important that when we are in our everyday conversation, we do not stay silent about such stigma-inducing slurs. We cannot expect our elected officials to be held to a higher standard if we do not try to model that in our daily conversations. Many suffer in silence, so you never know when someone near you might be harmed by the choice to use a slur in your conversation. Ending the stigma surrounding mental illness in the legal profession involves all of us, and that starts with being mindful of our speech. Hopefully, this post has helped with that.