How formal categories became playground insults.
The category became the insult.
Words such as idiot, imbecile, moron and retarded moved from formal or clinical language into everyday abuse.
This shows that stigma can move into whatever language is available. Changing words helps, but the deeper contempt must also be challenged.
Awareverse is careful with words, but the real mission is changing the way people are seen.
When looking at clinical terms to slurs, ask: who had power, who was being labelled, and what would have changed if the human being had been seen first?