Category Archives: Social Justice Synonyms
Social Justice Synonyms #13: “Pig” and other Speciesist Terms
This week’s SJS article examines the harms of speciesist language – and why we shouldn’t propagate it even if animals can’t understand us.
Social Justice Synonyms #12: Indigenous Identity and Terminology
In our first Social Justice Synonyms article of 2015, writer S.M. looks at what it means to use the terms “Indian”, “Aboriginal”, and “Indigenous/People[s].”
Social Justice Synonyms #11: “OCD” and “Bipolar”
Although persons living with OCD and bipolar disorder are often high functioning individuals, many have at some point felt debilitated by their diseases, or have encountered feelings of distress, depression, and alienation. In contrast, a person without bipolar disorder who has a mood swing, or enjoys being punctual, does not have to live with these same symptoms. This type of misappropriation can prevent someone living with mental illness from speaking up or reaching out for help since they might fear not being taken seriously or being met with ignorance.
Social Justice Synonyms #10: “Tranny”
Welcome to Social Justice Synonyms, your friendly column at The Talon that discusses specific words we hear and see being used, explains why they may be problematic, and provides some alternatives. This week’s term is tranny. Being our second instalment of SJS dealing with topical words in transgender communities, refer to last week’s article for […]
Social Justice Synonyms #9: “Transgendered”
Welcome again to Social Justice Synonyms, your friendly column at The Talon that encourages reflection on specific words and phrases we use and hear every day, and why they may be problematic. See our first week’s SJS article for wonderful suggestions on how to think about language. This week’s term is transgendered. You may have […]
Social Justice Synonyms #8: “Bitch”
Welcome to another segment of Social Justice Synonyms, a column at The Talon that works to foster the unlearning of oppressive words in our everyday language by explaining why they are harmful and providing inclusive alternatives. For more insight, check out our past segments: intro/crazy, man up, classy & poor, retarded, reverse racism, slut, and […]
Social Justice Synonyms #7: “That’s So Gay” & “No Homo”
Welcome to another segment of Social Justice Synonyms, a column at The Talon that works to foster the unlearning of oppressive words in our everyday language by explaining why they are harmful and providing inclusive alternatives. For more insight, check out our past segments: intro/crazy, man up, classy & poor, retarded, reverse racism, and slut. […]
Social Justice Synonyms #6: “Slut”
Welcome back to Social Justice Synonyms! In honour of Hallowe’en, and the problematic conversations that may likely be happening on campus today, this week’s word is slut. The word “slut” has been kickin’ around since about 1450. Though its exact origins are unknown, it started appearing in Middle English around that time. It began as […]
Social Justice Synonyms #5: “Reverse Racism”
This week’s phrase is reverse racism. The general understanding of reverse racism is “racism” towards white people, by people of colour. Proponents of reverse racism also liken it to oppression of white folks and compensation/revenge for centuries of oppression against people of colour. However, reverse racism does not exist. It does not exist because there […]
Social Justice Synonyms #4: “Retarded”
Welcome to the fourth segment of Social Justice Synonyms, a column at The Talon that discusses harmful and discriminatory language embedded in our culture and provides ways to unlearn this language. This week’s word is retarded. The word “retard” is derived from the Latin word retardare, meaning “to make slow, delay, or hinder”. It was […]
