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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this work colleague is wrong

103 replies

Ilovemyself · 04/10/2013 10:10

It's dress down Friday today and one of the guys in the office is wearing a South Park T shirt with a picture of Timmy ( the character in the wheelchair ) and the comment "I'm special" on it.

I thought the use of the word special was frowned upon these days, pointing out the differences disabled people have rather than being inclusive.

What's more, the person concerned needs to use a wheel chair for much more than a short walk.....

OP posts:
mrsjay · 04/10/2013 10:13

is the person with the Tshirt on a wheelchair user ? The t shirt is only offensive if you find it offensive I guess if the person is a wheelchair user he probably has a very dark sense of humour and southpark isn't exactly P C is it

emuloc · 04/10/2013 10:15

It's Friday relax.

BrokenSunglasses · 04/10/2013 10:16

If the person himself is a wheelchair user, then I think he is probably wearing the tshirt because of his own situation.

I don't think the word special is frowned upon, we still use the term 'special needs' or 'special educational needs' frequently and without problem, so it would be a shame if this became another word that people have to worry about using. I can be used in a derogatory way, but so can many words that have a valid place in our language.

I would feel uncomfortable at the tshirt, but I don't think a wheelchair user wearing it is wrong.

WahIzzit · 04/10/2013 10:16

I dont know tbh, is the term 'special needs' still used?

So this guy is in a wheelchair himself? Sometimes people are happy to joke about themselves regarding their disability or whatever, whereas others who dont have the disability end up offended.

valiumredhead · 04/10/2013 10:17

Urghh i can't bear SP, awful. YANBU.

Original poster
Ilovemyself · 04/10/2013 10:18

But if the use of the word special is frowned upon to describe someone because it is deemed offensive in general is it right for anyone to use it or wear the t shirt

OP posts:
mrsjay · 04/10/2013 10:18

I guess he is just being a bit vocal at being reagrded as a special needs person I don't know he obviously likes his t shirt and southpark it is supposed to offend really

SourSweets · 04/10/2013 10:19

If he's not the wheelchair user and someone else in the office is, then it's a bit risky and could offend them. If he is the wheelchair user then that's different, he's making light of his own situation. Some people do that, remember Ian Drury's Spazticus?

JRmumma · 04/10/2013 10:19

Don't think id wear that t-shirt to work TBH, if i did id be expecting a call from HR on Monday!

Not that it would offend me, but think you have to be super careful with things like that at work etc.

SquinkiesRule · 04/10/2013 10:20

Seeing South park is an American show and "special" and "Special needs" are common phrases still used in the US I would just ignore it, it wouldn't offend me, I'd just think he was a bit of a wanker.

Purple2012 · 04/10/2013 10:20

I wouldn't see 'special' as un PC. To me if someone was described to me as thinking they were a bit special I would think that they thought they were precious, betterythan everyone else.

But different things have different meanings to different people. If you don't set out to offend then I wouldn't think someone was being derogatory.

WahIzzit · 04/10/2013 10:20

But maybe he does consider himself rather special, and the wheelchair pic is suited to HIM because he uses one, whereas you or I dont so its not apt.

SourSweets · 04/10/2013 10:21

My issue with that wouldn't he the statement itself but that it's inappropriate for work, even on a casual Friday.

WilsonFrickett · 04/10/2013 10:23

SouthPark is designed to shock, it does make me laugh in that 'omgIshouldn'tbelaughing' way. However it is in no way appropriate work attire, for anyone.

mrsjay · 04/10/2013 10:24

I do think it isnt an appropriate T shirt for work im with you in that is anybody else wearing funny t shirts

mrsjay · 04/10/2013 10:24

I don't* sorry

mrsjay · 04/10/2013 10:25

what is up with me today Ive confused myself on my last post Grin

Bumpotato · 04/10/2013 10:26

Your colleague sounds like someone with a great sense of humour. Happy Friday.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 04/10/2013 10:27

Its fine if he is a wheelchair user himself.

DrSeuss · 04/10/2013 10:29

I used to teach a kid who was a wheel chair user due to being born with Spina Bifida. He enjoyed wearing a shirt with the word "leg less" across it. It was so typical of his sense of humour and he pulled it off brilliantly.

Bumpotato · 04/10/2013 10:29

PS I had a colleague who was sent home to change on dress down Friday for wearing a FCUK tshirt when they were fashionable. It was the Houston office though.

NK493efc93X1277dd3d6d4 · 04/10/2013 10:29

Chill out

mrsjay · 04/10/2013 10:32

people with disability tend to have a darksense of humour and some dont really bother if it is inclusive or pc or whatever, it gets us through the day sometimes Wink

Trills · 04/10/2013 10:39

If he uses a wheelchair then I guess he has the equivalent of n-word privileges.

An able-bodied person wearing it might be seen to be taking the piss out of people with special needs.

When he wears it, he can make use of the double meaning of the word. "I have special needs" and "I am special (in a good way)", saying that the two are not incompatible, you can be both.

Original poster
Ilovemyself · 04/10/2013 10:41

Tbh I have no problem with it, bit if I wore it I could be deemed as being offensive. It would be the same t shirts

OP posts: