Unacceptable word.

[theheadgirl]

To MN HQ:
Many of us have contacted you, to express the opinion that the word "mong" should not be acceptable.
In the thread in question, the poster, who I am sure meant nothing derogatory, used the phrase "to mong out in front of the TV"
It has been suggested that this meant nothing more than to "veg" out.
However, this word derives from the word "mongol", which many years ago was the acceptable medical term to describe Down Syndrome. Thankfully the medical profession no longer use the word.
As the mother of a beautful, lively girl with Down Syndrome, (who never, ever "mongs" anywhere!) I find this a vile word. It is one that reminds me of the way that those with learning difficulties are sometimes labelled, are treated as 2nd class, and are denied any individuality. Ignorance of its history should not mean it can be continued to be used. Look at the picture of my girl on my profile and ask yourself - would you be happy to hear the word used?
If you feel that this word is unacceptable please add your name to this thread.

Washer - what are you saying here - they said 'epi' on eastenders so it must be ok? Use your loaf

I know the origins of the name and thankfully its totally gone out of use. I've never heard the term used in the offending post.

I've know that kids are using equally offensive terms nowadays and it cannot be stopped but agree that this has no place on mumsnet so support your request.

As I said, I do not use the terms I mentioned (I'm fairly educated don't y'know , but have heard all of them in general usage.

I will remove myself from this thread now as I appear to be upsetting people, for which I apologise.

There was a thread on MN a while ago on the negativity of saying, 'I'm having a chinky' rather than saying 'I'm having a chinese meal'

If I'm being 100% honest I had never considered it an offensive thing to say but Chinese people said it was, so fine, a chinese take away it is from now on.

Not hard is it?

Fair enough washersaurus. Sorry, my last post to you was a bit rude. Apologies for that

I've used the terms veg out and chinky before in RL but must admit felt a bit uncomfortable with both. After this I wont use either again.

I dont post often, but felt compelled to add my tuppence-worth to this debate. It saddens me that many people are intimating that the offensiveness of particular words are largely defined by the user. I find that line of rationale as being too simplistic. I do agree that the debate of these threads has a lot of educational capabilities. So to delete them would not necessarily be the most effective way of addressing this.

Many people using these words do so out of ignorance, and I suggest that featuring a list of offensive words, perhaps at the top of the screen under 'useful stuff' may be a positive way forward. Under the heading, maybe these threads could be listed. That way, it is likely that someone using such a word could be directed to 'offensive words', via a link to 'offensive words' or a relevant thread within 'offensive words' so they can see the effects of such word usage. (Am I making any sense?)

This suggestion means also that as 'new' offensive words become used on here, it will be undoubtedly debated and anyone who is offended can request to have the offending word added to the list and the thread attached to it.

I think one of the most useful things about these debates is when someone posts something like: "Ive always used that word and didnt realise its meaning or that it offends, but now I understand i've stopped using it." That is important because it isnt always easy for people in RL or MN to challenge peoples percetions and use of words that have become entrenched into the language of some others.

Thanks to everyone who responded here, this is important to me for obvious reasons. Again thanks to MN for their actions

On the other thread its been suggested that the use of this word is akin to the way the gay community have reclaimed the word "queer", the black community the "n" word and that wheelchair users choose to refer to themselves as "cripples".
I disagree. The above groups have a level of self awareness which means they have taken their respective "labels", and have used them with a feeling of "in your face" sophistication to show they are so much more than the words that were historically used against them.
Its not the case with a learning disability. My daughter will naver have the sophistication to choose to call herself or her behaviour a "mong". As her mother and advocate, I will never choose this word on her behalf.
So thats it. I'll shut up now. Thanks again everyone.

Sorry I missed this HG, and well done for pursuing it, the lack of education on MN is truly astounding sometimes.

theheadgirl once again you have made a very good point.
people always point out how there are people with cp who call the selves spazz's(sp)
dd will never have the vocabulary to use that expresion and I have never heard any of her talking freinds use that expresion.
so like the word mong it is unaceptable. And i am glad at last mn have listened(thank you mn)

Sorry THG - I just found this thread.

I totally agree with theheadgirl about how unacceptable it is to use this term on MN and am glad that MNHQ have removed it from the original thread.

I agree too. Although I had never heard it before, or maybe I just didn't register. But I have heard it in Spanish, not to often, and in Italian, a lot!

Your DS3 is lovely, btw