It seems society in general sees racism and sexism as bad but disablism and mentalism as okay

Ross1975

I was wondering why this is, and had an interesting chat with ChatGPT about it, and I'd like to share it with you guys and see what you think. It's a lot to read through so I will just post a summerised version, and a link to the full version of the chat if you're interested in reading it:

Why society treats disablism and mentalism differently from racism and sexism

It’s frustrating how racism and sexism are seen as completely unacceptable, but disablism and mentalism often aren’t. There’s little public outrage when disabled or mentally ill people are talked about badly in politics or the media — even though the language and attitudes can be just as harmful.

This seems to happen because:

• Racism and sexism have long histories of activism and public awareness, so society has learned to condemn them.
• Disablism and mentalism haven’t had the same visibility. A lot of the harm happens out of sight — in benefits systems, institutions, or behind closed doors — so people don’t see it.
• There’s still stigma and blame. Many assume disability or mental illness means being “less capable” or “not trying hard enough,” which lets discrimination slide.
• Society still links human worth to productivity and independence, so people who can’t work or who need support are treated as “less deserving.”

Often, it takes major public suffering before an “-ism” becomes taboo. With racism, slavery and segregation forced the world to face the horror; with sexism, generations of activism made inequality impossible to ignore. Sadly, the same recognition for disabled and mentally ill people may only come if huge numbers are pushed into visible poverty, homelessness, or worse.

Ideally, we shouldn’t have to wait for that. We need awareness, solidarity, and activism before a crisis forces society to care.

Full version of the chat: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VLruenhytfokoLboqpvQ74LUWYj_EfEAX_AGW2sMlLk/edit?usp=sharing

Thoughts?

Littlefatfriend

Pardon me Ross1975 but this is yet another demonstration of the flaws and bias present in AI.

"There’s little public outrage when disabled or mentally ill people are talked about badly in politics or the media"??? That's not the case. As with most media and things, it depends what one reads and whom one talks to.

Some people will always stigmatise and blame others in unfair ways. But that's only some people and in my experience there are fewer of them every day. Don't talk to them if you disagree with them, simples!

😇

Ross1975

Your reply doesn’t really address the main discussion, it’s more of a personal anecdote and dismissal.

It is actually true that there is little public and media outrage when disabled or mentally ill people are talked about badly in politics and the media. Most of the outrage happens in the disabled and mentally ill communities.

And I don't talk to them if I disagree with them. It's also hard to stay away from it all when things come up in the media, on Youtube and in topics on here.

Chris75_

Don't these artificial intelligence gizmos just confirm anything one might ask it? They give me the creeps, quite frankly.

Ross1975

Do you mean, ‘don’t these AI gizmos just confirm anything one might tell them’? As I'm not sure how a question can be confirmed.

Anyway, no, they don’t just agree with everything.

Catherine21

A majority of Society over the centuries have been brain washed to believe what thier told as factual if they dont live it or it doesn't effect them they will jump on the band wagon get caught up in us and them not having the logic to see they are getting played by the establishment the elites have relied on this method for years we turn on each other never looking up just hating Joe because he gets a measly 20 pound more racism still really exist as long as man lives there will always be war hate bitterness all our lifes we been lied to our whole worlds minds have been shaped not in a positive way even on this forum where we have all suffered at the hands of the dwp still some comments stating that some people are more deserving the only thing I think is different this time is labour has targeted all of the UK elderly disabled you name it now people are feeling the worry fear shock like we have done for years people are waking up slowly and understanding how they work and they are not happy its sickening how they act the whole world can see what an embarrassment they are standing up spouting pure lies and hate shame on them

Holly_Scope

Hi all. Several comments have been removed because they weren't in keeping with the house rules. We appreciate this is quite a sensitive topic but please keep the conversation respectful to one another.

Ross1975

I just wanted to apologise if anything in my earlier posts came across as disruptive, I certainly didn’t mean for that to happen. I really value this forum and the chance to have thoughtful discussions.

I also think this topic raises some really important points, and I’d love to hear more thoughts from everyone on this contradiction in society.

Catherine21

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1079958#Comment_1079958

No way you never offended anyone always polite

Ross1975

Thanks Catherine, that's really nice of you to say.

Passerby

They're not only "talked about badly in politics or the media", but also on this very forum, as we've some people who want to dismiss people with mental health needs, to the extent of claiming that mental illnesses can be faked, discrediting the medical expertise of medical practitioners. Therefore, the harm is also from within.

Chris75_

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1080049#Comment_1080049

So every claim for state support is genuine, mental or physical? A person can assert that there are chancers out there, without it following that all claims are fraudulent.

I don't believe that my Muscular Dystrophy is a con, any more than the thousands of other legitimate claims, mental or physical. You are labouring on a falsehood.

Passerby

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1080053#Comment_1080053

"You are labouring on a falsehood."

Don't you also think that I'm learning it from you!