It's Been a Minute The worrisome return of the R-Word
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Apr 29, 2026 
Imani Barbarin, disability advocate and creator of Crutches and Spice, offers sharp commentary on ableism and cultural trends. She explores the recent resurgence of a harmful slur and why such language keeps returning. Short, clear conversations connect words to policy, historical insults, and broader social harms.
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Ableism Is Structural Not Just Verbal
- Ableism extends beyond slurs to systems and policies that remove rights and agency from people labeled as disabled.
- Imani Barbarin links language like the R-word to real consequences such as conservatorships, guardianships, and voting restrictions in several states.
Common Insults Originated As Disability Labels
- Many common insults (idiot, lame) have historical roots in disability and were once medical or legal terms.
- Brittany Luse and Imani Barbarin trace words like idiot and lame to descriptions of people deemed incapable of self-care.
Disability Claims Become Political Weapons
- Disability allegations are used politically to discredit opponents and remove them from power debates.
- Imani notes leaders like Joe Biden and Donald Trump are routinely framed as incompetent to justify exclusion from office.