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What's the problem with "Wheels" exactly? At the time that was also a hip way to refer to a vehicle. It was probably the coolest name they could have given him in that cultural context. Should we have tip toed around the topic and never acknowledged his condition or what? People are so fucking strange and self righteous sometimes
I think it's the fact that it's making his whole identity about having a disability. But it's an ad aimed at selling children fast food so I don't know what people expect.
Or, it's selling his "weakness" instead as "coolness". I don't think it's disrespectful at all, especially when you consider that ad was made probably around 1989.
I can't speak for people with disabilities as I don't have that experience myself. I just know that when we had to take sensitivity training at work there was a big part about being careful with your language when you refer to people disabilities so that you aren't identifying them solely as that. Like saying a person with a handicap vs. handicapped. This would be kind of the same thing. I don't have an opinion on it personally and like you said it was the 90s, but I think that's why the person in the Twitter was complaining about it.
I'm sure that was their thought process. My issue is that ignoring the cultural context like they are doing there is pretty dumb.
I mean even today if an ad did this I'm not sure it would be offensive but it damn sure wasn't back then. It was actually part of a movement to be more inclusive that started around that time. Call it cynical pandering if you want, but that kind of stuff is literally part of the reason that today people try to be more sensitive to differences between people.
I'm with you, the ad obviously isn't trying to make the kid look bad. The twitter person just doesn't have the same perspective and probably isn't old enough to have grown up with that sort of earlier diversity stuff. They're looking at it with a modern lens.
Yeah, I know that's what they are doing. I think it's an unhealthy tendency and it feels on the rise.
Hey I really appreciate you taking the training seriously and incorporating it into how you treat people. 👍🏻
/sincere
Wait, does you closing the sincere tag mean the rest of your day you'll be disingenuious?
Shitposting is the default on the Internet.
Your nickname is not your whole identity, it's just a name.
Ok, everyone else has a similar name there too. Vidkid, I.Q...ect
Disclaimer: In no way do I endorse walking up to people and calling them things. ASK how they want to be addressed first, FFS.
I've had friends with ironic nicknames, including disabled folks. Sometimes, the situation just sucks and they seek dark humor in many things, including watching people squirm with a cringe inducing nickname.
Certainly can’t begrudge them wanting to do a little trolling
I certainly don't. Honestly, it's so deliciously underhanded and creative. It's rare to witness and I love it.
To avoid doxing myself, let me concoct an example. Imagine meeting a blind person who introduces themselves as X-ray (or Cyclops, or Odin). Yikes. You dance around it at first, but they just smell blood in the water: "why are you avoiding my name?" I mean, you have to laugh, but that just gets you in more "trouble."
And then theres people like me. I genuinely don't remember new peoples names.
So I'm just like "Hey, uhhhhh, whats yer name.......shit, what is it again?"
"Cyclops"
"Really? I forgot CYCLOPS for a one eyed midget??? How'd I mess THAT up?"
And they're just giving me this bewildered stare.....except with an eyepatch.
A trick I use: Cop to having that weakness and use repetition to drill it into your skull.
Hi, Jen. Just to let you know, I'm one of those "can't remember names" people. I'm trying something to fix that: I'm going to use your name, Jen, a bunch in this conversation so I don't forget. Thanks Jen.
Then lean into how ridiculous this sounds after a while, like it's a game; you may get a laugh or two. It's silly, but people appreciate it when you take an interest in treating them right. You'll also find this is a very common "problem" and is very relatable to most people.
Should have called him "Legs" ironically