Use of the word "mong" and "mongol"

[Goatse]

Is using this offensively racist? Since it's also a medical term... or something. I'm a bit confused with this.

[RedStarOverChina]

I thought the word "Mongols" is the grammatically correct word to describe the people of Mongolia...The language, and other stuff from Mongolia is titled "Mongolian".

[Whitten]

Mongol isn't offencive.

Mong usually is.

[Jazzratt]

It can be racist and, if you listen to people like br, it can be "ableist". After all mongoloid is a term often used to refer to people with severe genetic mental disorders.

[Sentinel]

After all mongoloid is a term often used to refer to people with severe genetic mental disorders

Mongoloid (mongol-like) used to be an official term for Down syndrome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome) -- these days it's, understandably, no longer in use.

[RedCeltic]

Mongoloid is correct in talking about people of the Mongolian race.

Mongoloid is not a medical term... people with the features that once were called "mongoloid" are now called Down Syndrome. I work in the field of human services with the Developmentally disabled population and believe me... while people with Down Syndrome may have difficulty understanding some things, they know about that term and it's negitive implications.

EDIT Sorry I must have posted at the same time as Sentinel.

[Goatse]

That's why I was meaning - people use it offensively since it referred to those with Down Syndrome - just like they use "spaz" or "crip". I was wondering if it was offensive and racist because of its origins.

[RedCeltic]

That's a good question. I can only assume that using the word in talking about people with down syndrome came from some racist belief that they looked like people who are Mongolian.

I have heard it used in reference to Mongolians... "The Mongol tribes" etc. and think that it was in use long before down syndrome.... but I'm not clear as to if it is what they officially call themselves or if it's a slang like calling the Jappanise "Tojos" or whatever.

[Black Dagger]

Originally posted by [email protected] 12, 2007 01:22 am
It can be racist and, if you listen to people like br, it can be "ableist". After all mongoloid is a term often used to refer to people with severe genetic mental disorders.
You don't think ableism exists? :unsure:

And 'people like br' - lovely.

[RedCeltic]

Originally posted by black rose+March 12, 2007 07:40 am--> (black rose @ March 12, 2007 07:40 am)
[email protected] 12, 2007 01:22 am
It can be racist and, if you listen to people like br, it can be "ableist". After all mongoloid is a term often used to refer to people with severe genetic mental disorders.
You don't think ableism exists? :unsure:

And 'people like br' - lovely. [/b]
Ableism does exist, I see it each and every day that I take the individuals I work with out into the public. You should see the look of disgust people have when they see someone with CP in a wheelchair.

[Black Dagger]

Originally posted by RedCeltic+March 12, 2007 11:49 pm--> (RedCeltic @ March 12, 2007 11:49 pm)
Originally posted by black [email protected] 12, 2007 07:40 am

[email protected] 12, 2007 01:22 am
It can be racist and, if you listen to people like br, it can be "ableist". After all mongoloid is a term often used to refer to people with severe genetic mental disorders.
You don't think ableism exists? :unsure:

And 'people like br' - lovely.
Ableism does exist, I see it each and every day that I take the individuals I work with out into the public. You should see the look of disgust people have when they see someone with CP in a wheelchair. [/b]
I totally agree with you... i was askin' jazzrat if he agreed coz his post seemed to imply that he thought i (or 'people like me') made ableism up out-of-thin-air.

[RedAnarchist]

Originally posted by RedCeltic+March 12, 2007 01:49 pm--> (RedCeltic @ March 12, 2007 01:49 pm)
Originally posted by black [email protected] 12, 2007 07:40 am

[email protected] 12, 2007 01:22 am
It can be racist and, if you listen to people like br, it can be "ableist". After all mongoloid is a term often used to refer to people with severe genetic mental disorders.
You don't think ableism exists? :unsure:

And 'people like br' - lovely.
Ableism does exist, I see it each and every day that I take the individuals I work with out into the public. You should see the look of disgust people have when they see someone with CP in a wheelchair. [/b]
People are disgusted at someone for having been born with a mental or physical disability? :blink:


That's just horrible. People like that need to remember that they could easily have been born with a disability.

[RedCeltic]

Oh sorry I read that wrong. :blush:


People are disgusted at someone for having been born with a mental or physical disability?


That's just horrible. People like that need to remember that they could easily have been born with a disability.

Yeah Expecially something like CP, which is caused by lack of oxygen to the brain for just a few seconds while in the womb.

[Jazzratt]

Originally posted by black rose+March 12, 2007 02:05 pm--> (black rose @ March 12, 2007 02:05 pm)
Originally posted by [email protected] 12, 2007 11:49 pm

Originally posted by black [email protected] 12, 2007 07:40 am

[email protected] 12, 2007 01:22 am
It can be racist and, if you listen to people like br, it can be "ableist". After all mongoloid is a term often used to refer to people with severe genetic mental disorders.
You don't think ableism exists? :unsure:

And 'people like br' - lovely.
Ableism does exist, I see it each and every day that I take the individuals I work with out into the public. You should see the look of disgust people have when they see someone with CP in a wheelchair.
I totally agree with you... i was askin' jazzrat if he agreed coz his post seemed to imply that he thought i (or 'people like me') made ableism up out-of-thin-air. [/b]
Right. Naturally it wasn't made up out of thin air and yes I have seen some disgusting attitudes towards certain parts of the disabled community - and yes I do actually challenge these views, but (fuck. I've just realised how much this sounds like an I'm not racist but comment, bear with me - please?) people who have mental handicaps and physical deformities/disabilities are at an actual disadvantage to "typical" members of society. With this in mind it is obvious why people often use terms that refer to these disadvantages in an insulting manner - it is simply a more extreme way of implying someone is stupid or lacks physical prowess (two of the most common types of insult.). I think it is better to fight for awareness of disabilities and drum up enthusiasm for creating a cure than stopping people using these words as insults.

[RedCeltic]

I think it is better to fight for awareness of disabilities and drum up enthusiasm for creating a cure than stopping people using these words as insults.

Very good point. I agree 100%.

[Janus]

Mongoloid was intended to be a racial distinction based on physical characteristics. it's controversial not only because of the racial classification system itself but also because it was used to describe people with Down Syndrome for a while (due to the perceived physical similarities such as the internal eye fold,etc.) but this term has falled into disuse especially the latter usage.. Mongol, on the other hand, is a term used to describe the major/dominant ethnicity of Mongolia and is not considered to be offensive.