Carly Findlay

Writer, speaker, appearance activist. Loving life!

  • About me
  • Say Hello – my book
  • Hire me!
  • Support Me
  • Contact
  • What is Ichthyosis?
  • Ichthyosis + appearance diversity resources
  • Disclaimer
  • Shop
  • Guest post contribution guidelines
  • Growing Up Disabled in Australia

Disability slurs in the sporting arena is more than just blokey biffo. It’s hate speech.

November 21, 2017 Carly Findlay 2 Comments

Another uncharacteristic sport post (it contains references to ableism):

Cricket Australia is a finalist for a National Disability Award from International Day of People with Disability – Australia.

(“The ground-breaking National Cricket Inclusion Championships (NCIC) featured three divisions: blind and vision impaired, deaf and hard of hearing and cricketers with an intellectual disability.”)

Yet the cricketers and wider cricket spokespeople, and media, are showing very little respect to disabled people – to the very people they’re claiming to include.

Former cricketer, Stuart MacGill made an ableist slur last week, and it made news.

“Ashes selections … made by morons masquerading as mentors. Times up gents,” Stuart Macgill wrote on Twitter.

The top story on news.com.au last Friday had a disability slur – it shows the low level of respect sport and media has for disabled people.

A number of media outlets reported on this story (here’s one).

Today I was alerted to a video of cricket’s worst sledges of all time, created and distributed by FOX Sports Australia:

The R word is featured.

This is everyday ableism. This is hate speech.

Cricket Australia has a policy committed to disability inclusion.

“Cricket Australia is committed to enabling access to sport for all Australians regardless of ability.”

Yet when Stuart Macgill uses “moron” in a statement, or the R word is used considered a best sledge, cricket doesn’t seem very welcoming to disabled people.

Its players and associates should follow this policy – especially if it’s being seen as a leader in disability access and inclusion. And it would be good to know how cricket Australia and teams are educating and following up on these slurs. I’m happy to provide training.

Additionally, the Australian media has access to guidelines around reporting disability, but okayed disability slurs to be published.

When you use a disability slur – to disabled and non disabled people – you’re saying disabled people are less than, othered, not equal. You are implying the disabled people have low intellect. You use disabled people as the punchline of a joke.

On a recent episode of You Can’t Ask That, people with Down syndrome spoke about how they are hurt and scared when disability slurs are spat at them. One participant, Leigh Creighton described people driving past him, yelling out “you f—ing r-tard” – and believes there needs to be more education “to stop the r-word, to stop the bullying.”

It’s time disability slurs were not laughed off or gone un-reprimanded, especially when they’re used by leaders and the media. It’s especially not welcoming to their disabled players and fans.

Blokes having a laugh and a bit of biffo on the sporting field comes at a cost to how disabled people are seen and feel about ourselves.

More resources:

Here’s Kaitlyn Plyley on why it’s not ok to use casual ableism like disability slurs.

And I wrote this and this on how disability slurs must carry the same weight as racist and homophobic slurs.

Autisitc Hoya has a guide to disability slurs and alternatives, and so does Spread the Word to Emd the Word.

(I have emailed Cricket Australia and the National Disability Day Awards about this issue)

Did this post help you or make you think? Will you use it in the workplace or classroom? Please consider buying me a drink. Oh and follow my Facebook page! 

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Uncategorized

Comments

  1. Ebonie B says

    November 21, 2017 at 10:33 pm

    As a person with a disabled brother, this really hit close to home. Thank you Carly, we need more beautiful people like you to raise their voices.
    You’ve made my day with this article.

    Log in to Reply
  2. Nia says

    January 15, 2018 at 12:32 am

    Really well researched Carly with so much work put in to providing resources for change. My writing on this topic has drawn a lot of ‘just get over it’ type comments (and much worse. Your piece provides a lot of depth, Nice job. Nia

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Socials

  • View tune.into.radio.carly’s profile on Facebook
  • View @carlyfindlay’s profile on Twitter
  • View carlyfindlay’s profile on Instagram
  • View sqoggle’s profile on YouTube

Book me to speak

Sign up for some love in your inbox

Listen to my podcast

Tune in

Enter your email address to receive new posts by email.

Archives

Popular Posts

  • What it means when you say, "I don't see you as disabled"
  • Making accessible social media content
  • I am not white. My racial identity.
  • What's with the image descriptions on my social media posts?
  • Being joyous in my Bonds (gifted post)
  • Nine books by Disabled writers
  • Creamoata: a much loved, yet lost food of my childhood. Help me find it.
  • My review of Wonder the film
  • Miss You Love - an analysis of a beautful Silverchair song
  • A death in the Ichthyosis community. When we lose one of our own.

Copyright

The material on Tune into Radio Carly is copyright. The writing in this blog is by Carly Findlay unless otherwise stated. Most photos in this blog are by Carly Findlay unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without permission from Carly Findlay. This blog represents my personal opinions and experiences. It does not reflect those of my employers'. The information I provide about ichthyosis is mostly based on personal experiences. Please seek medical advice or counseling before trying any new treatments I've written about. Where stared, I use affiliate links on this blog. By clicking them, I receive a small percentage of the purchase.

Copyright © 2023 · Daily Dish Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.