Letter: ‘Irresistible’ rise of eugenics: something we must all fight
From Natalie Bennett, Green Peer, House of Lords, London SW1, UK
The other side of Quinn Slobodian’s op-ed, which online ran as “The irresistible rise of libertarian eugenics” (November 15), is an explosion in the use by many of the prominent would-be eugenicists, and their allies, of abusive terms for the learning-disabled and others they label inferior.
These are terms that seemed to be consigned to history, but are being proudly brandished in America, by everyone from Elon Musk to Joe Rogan, who described the return of the word “retarded” as “one of the great culture victories”.
Acknowledging that every human being has strengths and capacities, has the right to equal respect and dignified treatment, and the right to be supported to develop to their and the right to be supported to develop to their full potential, was one sign of progress in the late 20th century.
We cannot allow the return of eugenicist thinking.
My letter in today's Financial Times
#DisabilityRights #Discrimination #Equalities
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