“Yeah, that’s not okay.” — 10 offensive terms you should never use | By Teoh Jin Wen
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| Illustration by Caitlyn & Cynthia. |
(Warning: Implication of offensive language. Reader discretion is advised.)
(Disclaimer: The information in this article is simplified for general viewers. Further individual research is advised.)
None of us are strangers to poor word choices. We’ve all used offensive language before, whether by mistake or with real ill will.
I myself admit to recklessly misusing more than half of the words listed below in the past. They were often brushed off as a joke. My friends and I thought they were okay since no one punished us for saying them. Now we know otherwise.
Words can hurt someone, even if they’re not directed at anyone in specific. This is because you never really know what a person is going through, much less what these words may mean to them.
That said, here are 10 derogatory terms that you should take the time to check and unlearn from your vocabulary if they’re in there.
1) The N-word
This slur was used to dehumanize African slaves, who were stripped from their culture and of their basic human rights. Today, many descendants of slaves are clueless of their exact ancestry and origin. The word is now heavily associated with the dehumanization of anyone with dark skin. If you’re not black, you should never use it, no matter what. Just say ‘homie’. It’s better.
2) Ch*nk
This racial slur is used to dehumanize anyone that possesses East Asian features, associating them with ‘stealing jobs’, being loud or stingy with money. During the pandemic, it made an alarming comeback with hate crimes committed against largely East Asian communities, accused of ‘starting’ the pandemic.
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| In Young Lee was outraged after being given this racist receipt after ordering at Taco Bell. Photo by In Young Lee. |
3) K*ling
Once a neutral word to refer to Indians from the Kalinga Kingdom in South Asia, it has been used derogatively (disrespectful and demeaningly) by members of the Malaysian Parliament in recent years. Utterly shameful. Never use it.
4) Apun*n*/ Abun*n*
There’s no actual origin to this offensive slang, but it is used to derogatively refer to Indian individuals or anyone of dark skin in Malaysia. Colorism is a dangerous thing that comes into play, associating dark skin with danger or unattractiveness. It’s especially easy for children to pick up, so pay attention to what they’re saying.
5) Sakai
An aboriginal tribe in Malaysia. This word is used in the derogatory name-calling of Orang Asli individuals in Malaysia, especially within schools, contributing to a high drop-out rate. The word is twisted from its original meaning, associated with the harmful stereotypes of aboriginals being less educated or primitive when they are just culturally different.
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| Sakai boy blowing a dart from a sumpit (blowgun) in Malaysia. Photo by Janas on Chaudron BlogSpot. |
6) The F-word
The one with six letters, not four. This homophobic slur is used mainly against homosexual men, but can target any perceived male or male perceived to be in the LGBTQIA+ community. Its misuse can misgender and dehumanize a person, making them feel unsafe and invalid, even if it’s not directed at them. This is especially true if they’re not publicly out yet.
7) Tr*nny/Shemale
Used in transphobic context towards primarily transgender women, but can also target any perceived homosexual male, or male member of the transgender community that display feminine traits. It’s a slur, disrespectful towards a person’s gender identity, sexual orientation and expression.
8) OCD
Short for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Due to widespread misunderstanding and misuse over the internet, people have become numb to the fact that OCD is an actual mental disorder that disrupts everyday life and not a term synonymous to ‘clean’ or ‘orderly’.
As explained in this comic by a comic artist with OCD, using the term ‘OCD’ incorrectly undermines the severity of the disorder’s influence on the lives of those who actually have it. This can also lead to them not seeking out help.
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| Photo on TheMighty. |
9) PTSD
Short for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, an anxiety disorder which usually develops after a traumatic experience like assault, abuse, traffic accidents, war etc. Post traumatic stress can be experienced by anyone, but it becomes a disorder if its symptoms linger for a longer time than usual, become worse, and/or interfere with day-to-day functioning.
Like OCD, misuse of the term ‘PTSD’ in a sentence undermines the trauma that bearers have gone through, which can lead them to develop a slew of other mental health issues.
10) The R-word
The word was once neutral, used to refer to certain neurodiverse individuals with mental intelligence disabilities. It is now considered ableist and derogatory as it implies that something is fundamentally wrong with the neurodiverse community and the mentally disabled. There isn’t.
The world we live in today is now a melting pot of different cultures and communities learning to co-exist, so inclusive language is more important than ever. If you ever catch yourself misusing the words above, just apologize and correct yourself. Don’t stay silent and complicit if someone else slips up either. These are small actions that may not mean much to you, but they mean the world to everyone, especially those who have been affected by these terms!
Thank you for reading.
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