What's In a Name?

It was Mark Twain who wrote that “…language is a treacherous thing, a most unsure vehicle…” For people with disabilities and their allies, the struggle over language is on-going. There are those who insist on “people first” language as the means to convey respect for the individual and the acknowledgement that one is not defined by his or her disability, but by their deeds and their character. On the other side are those who say that we spend too much time worrying about labels and images and instead should be focusing on effecting concrete societal changes for a group that has historically been marginalized and discriminated against. “It doesn’t matter what you call us (or them)”, they say. “What matters is how we (or they) are treated.”

Personally, I align with those who believe that language is important; that how we refer to people often suggests and defines how we treat people. And so we continue to search for labels and titles that command greater respect and reduce the stigma attached to people with disabilities. For example, 43 states so far have taken steps to remove the word “retarded” from their laws, conceding that the word “retarded” is outdated and has become offensive. In most cases, the word was replaced with the term “intellectual disability.”

It is in this context that I applaud the Unitarian Universalist Association Board of Trustees for voting to place on the 2014 General Assembly agenda, new by-laws language related to inclusion. In Article II: Principles and Purposes, the current language reads, “The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility and that of its member congregations and organizations to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, language, citizenship status, economic status, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.”

The proposed language reads, “Systems of power, privilege, and oppression have traditionally created barriers for persons and groups with particular identities, abilities and histories. We pledge (to do all we can) to replace such barriers with ever-widening circles of solidarity and mutual respect. We strive to be an association of congregations that truly welcome all persons and commit to structuring congregational and associational life in ways that empower and enhance everyone’s participation.”

The latter paragraph is a call to action. It replaces the word “disability” with “abilities.” It puts into context the struggle to advance the rights of people who have historically been marginalized. It calls on all congregations to welcome everyone into circles of respect, empowerment and participation in congregational life.

We in Equual Access have the opportunity to lead the way in supporting the UUA in this commitment. The UUA-Equual Access partnership is strong and the next few years will see a growing and a cementing of that relationship. The only language that will matter as we move forward is “cooperation”, “collaboration”, and “courage.”

With respect,

Mark Bernstein
CERG Growth Consultant and UUA Liaison to Equual Access