To comment on this Facebook post?

[Essel]

One of my husbands friends has commented on/promoted another friends business by saying this on fb: 'business name, if Mr D can do it, any spastic can.'

I'd love to add a comment to fb about the use of the word 'spastic' as it shits me to tears that its still used as a socially acceptable insult by so many people (or maybe that's just in oz), but I don't want to sound shrill or ruffle feathers when I'm not close to any of these guys, and I doubt they really care what I think. I'm not sure I have the guts to speak up so publicly, but It bothers me to see it and not say anything.

My little brother has mild CP so I'm sensitive about the use of that word and I would hate for him to read something like that on FB (not that he would see this guys post but I guess he might see my reply).

I've tried to 'report' it which is what I usually do when I see posts/photos that make fun of people with disabilities, but that doesn't seem to be an option on this kind of post.

Does anyone have any ideas of what I could write or should I leave it?

I'd leave it.

I would leave it. Even though your intentions are good, it's going to make you look silly. Just hide this person now that you know how he thinks.

I would say something!

I would say something. Or report it to Facebook if you don't want to cause any personal trouble. They can remove it if they feels it's that bad.

I'd say something, because I think if everybody "just leaves it" it allows such comments to become acceptable again. However as your intention is presumably to make him think rather than you simply having a rant, I'd couch it in terms such as "I'm not sure if you realise how socially unacceptable use of that word has become. You're in danger of losing quite a bit of business as some people will be instantly turned off by it. Maybe use something like 'numpty' (or whatever your non-offensive Oz equivalent is) instead?"

Oh, is that product specifically for disabled people's benefit then? Perhaps you could let Cerebra know, www.cerebra.org.uk/English/Pages/home.aspx I'm sure they'll be delighted to have a percentage donated from every item sold.

Then put the pillock's email address on the mailing list of every charity that supports people with delayed neurological development.

I would say something.
I would post 'good grief. Does anyone still think 'spastic' is a funny insult. I wouldn't hire anyone who did that. Was this a mistake?'
And block the twat.

oh FUCKING FACEBOOK SHIT

I deleted a prick recently because he kept describing people/situations/anything as 'spaz'.

I cant abide that term. I asked him if he realised it was offensive and where it has been derived from?

He said he knew, and there was nothing offensive about it

Yes . Facebook shit. Right there in the title...

Not a fan of Facebook, Troy?

its the threads about it I loathe. and it has its very own hideable topic no fucker uses

No one uses the right topics.
I have some hidden that appear in aibu and chat. It's fucking annoying.

So is spaz related to people with CP? I honestly didn't know. Round here it just generally meant thicko. My sisters friend started taking offence when people used it as her brother has DS and so I thought it was related to that!

So why open a thread with "Facebook" in the title, if you loathe those threads so much?

I KNOW I KNOW

kicks self

And I think this is an AIBU question. I don't see how it's in the wrong section?

Say something!

I deleted someone because I got fed up of them referring to people as "mongs". I wasn't brave enough to comment though.

I've challenged RL friend on the use of that word, related it to the sort of insults my DD will likely be subject to by other ignorant twats.

She was mortified, a great discussion - all open and on her fb page, ensued and lots of people vowed to think before they used seemingly popular words and phrases again.

Not sure if those people stand by that, but my friend has definitely changed her turn of phrase since then

It's always worth challenging someone who's friendship you value, but in this situation I think I'd comment something like 'I would want a tradesperson who wasn't disablist.' And see where it goes

OK, we'll I have worked out how to report it, so I've done that.

I'd love to use some of the blunter, sarcastic or more biting comments and I'd really tempted to take runesgils advice and add the guys email address to some of the cp charity mailing lists but I think DP would feel awkward.

I might go with something like 'I hope your use of the word 'spastic' doesn't turn people off a great business. Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood disability in Australia so lots of people avoid using that insult.

Opos sorry, llooks as though you are in Oz, then insert names of charities in your location.

I posted it.

Thanks runesigil, I googled australian cp charities so I might use your line next time (this is the 3rd time in a couple of months that I've reported a comment like this). And if I get pluckier I will definitely start adding people to mailing lists.

Thanks for the feedback and courage everyone. I'm sure the guys will dismiss my comment pretty quickly but someone else might read it and get it.

I'm sorry OP, but your first post had me flinching and being extremely negative to whatever it was you may have been discussing

It shits me to tears

Who on Earth talks like that? It is so gross, childish, disgusting and immediately lowers the IQ of the poster (and, unfortunately, the reader's too). I am offended!

I work with a man who uses a similar turn of phrase and I think he is an offensive pillock, too.

(a not so roundabout way of saying 'people in glass houses.....' )