Watch your language

While I was still Co-Regional Advisor for my chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, we ran an event about writing early reader books. In one book example the editor showed, the text had a line that included "dancing like crazy."

An attendee noted with distress in the chat that the publisher should have caught this ableist language. I tried to reassure her that the book was published 9 years ago and that I imagine people are more aware of this issue these days and are trying to do better.

However, I'm not so sure I'm right about that.

Anyone who grew up in the 60s and 70s (heck, even 80s and 90s) know what a politically incorrect landscape was, filled with homophobic and ableist "jokes." While I would never use homophobic slurs or jokes, I still find myself sometimes slipping into language that many people still deem innocent but are actually hurtful...words like "insane" or "deaf."

I want to be a part of a better, kinder word, and I hope that my blog readers do, too. If so, this article might be a good one to read and keep in mind. I know it was a helpful reminder to me.