Friday, February 15, 2019

One Word

There are times when powerlessness is the only sensible reaction.

Joe and I were watching a television program and just as it ended, building up to an emotional climax, one of the characters uses the 'R-word.' 

It's like a sucker punch, the whole of the ending is thrown off, our understanding of the characters involved is knocked off course, the time we've enjoyed watching the show is now thrown into question.

Powerlessness.

Nothing I can do will ever fix this.

We are left sitting feeling like we've been slapped by our own trust, the trust we'd given to the writers of the program.

Breathlessness. 

I'm told that I'm too sensitive in my reaction to that word.

I don't understand why I'm expected to be able to let purposeful hurt, purposeful hatred, roll off me.

And I don't know what to do.

 I know people who can be brought low by that word, can be torn up by that word, can be left bleeding by that word.

I know that their pain is real.

I know that their tears are wet.

And I don't know what to do.

I watch people forced to apologize for the language they use because the language they use is hateful.

But disabled people are expected to expect pain.

It's their just reward.

We have people sign pledges, but only good people who already know sign pledges, we need something bigger and louder and stronger.

But I don't know what that is.

This is a ramble.

And I'm sorry.

But sometimes I'm unguarded and sometimes I trust and sometimes I'm stunned by how quickly one word changes everything about a moment.

One word.

One powerful word, so powerful that it drinks up the power from all those who hear it.

So.

What do I do?

Talk to you.

Thanks.

4 comments:

clairesmum said...

Random, unanticipated act of verbal violence - as bad as a punch in the face from a stranger. No way to predict, no way to avoid, no way to protect yourself. Words hurt.
Connection to community eases pain. I hear you, I share your anger, I hope the pain eases.

ABEhrhardt said...

It's meant to hurt. I never know what to do, either.

Unknown said...

I too agree with you Dave. even i have seen many times when tears falling out of people's eyes, when they are called by such names. Just think of yourself, when someone calls you "disabled " and all your good qualities are ignored. How much will it hurt you, when none of your abilities are are counted only because of your inability to do certain things. The people with disabilities are also human beings. Their inability to do certain things doesn't change their right to live happily . When they are called by such words, their right to live happily is questioned. people with disabilities are often a concern for family and well wishers only. They give respect to their emotional feelings, but for general public , sometimes it may not be a concern and their words may hurt them.

Unknown said...

I too agree with you Dave. Even i have seen many times tears falling out of people's eyes, when they are called by such names. Just think of yourself when someone calls you "disabled "and all your good qualities are ignored. How much will it hurt you ,when none of your abilities are counted only because of your inability to do certain things. The people with disabilities are also human beings. Being disabled doesn't change their right to live happily . When they are called by such words their emotional feelings are hurt and their right to live happily is questioned. People with disabilities are often a concern for family and well wishers only . They give respect to their emotional feelings but for general public, sometimes it may not be a concern and their words may hurt them.