It won't matter what term you adopt.  In time it will take on the same 
pejorative meaning.  People  who have intellectual limitations have been 
variously said to suffer from mentally deficiency (moron, imbecile, idiot, 
etc.), mental retardation (retards), developmental disability.  Changing the 
nomenclature every few years does nothing to address the overvaluing of 
intellect and the devaluing and marginalization of those with less of it in 
our culture.

It is the underlying attitude or philosophical stance that is the problem 
and it will not change by virtue of adopting more neutral of even positively 
toned language.  In time it will become pejorative because those who oppose 
the
concept will it pervert as a matter of politics.

So maybe we just need to own it and define as we choose.

There is a lesson to be learned from any marginalized group that takes 
ownership of the vulgar language used to define and undermine them and in 
doing so disempower the words.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chrystal Ocean" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 9:05 PM
Subject: Re: [SDOH] Welfare states and health


> Yabbut..., doesn't replacing 'welfare state' with 'caring for children'
> suggest that only a certain group is worthy of consideration re health 
> care
> coverage and education (to use your examples)?
>
> As much as I detest 'welfare state' - 'welfare' used to have such a nice
> connotation! -, I don't see how emphasizing children (e.g. child poverty 
> vs.
> poverty) gets us anywhere. Don't children have one or more adults as
> guardians? I've always thought the emphasis on children was a neat 
> political
> gambit; makes it much easier to separate the deserving from the 
> undeserving
> poor.
>
> Ocean
>
> ----------------------------------
> Chrystal Ocean, Coordinator.
> Wellbeing through Inclusion Socially & Economically
> http://www.wise-bc.org/
>
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