Weaponizing the Words Perpetuates the Stigma

If we refuse to name it, how can we expect to defeat it? That sentiment is popular in the field of stigmatized conditions. It’s also powerful and 100% true.

Stigma is not just an unfortunate side effect — the collateral damage of trying to feel better about ourselves by looking down our noses at the socio-economic layers below us. Stigma is debilitating. It keeps people stuck in otherwise improvable situations because stigma makes not drawing attention to our troubles the highest priority — even higher than getting out of our jam.

The othering of our neighbors — it’s easier to compare and dismiss than it is to engage in compassion and involvement.

The reason we focus on crushing the stigma of addiction, hunger and homelessness isn’t because we’re into putting lipstick on pigs. We want to crush the stigma because the stigma is crushing people. Destigmatizing doesn’t solve the problems, but it is a prerequisite to lasting change and the end of systematic oppression.

I openly claim my alcoholic label. As a drinker, I crossed that invisible line into addiction, and eventually, I beat it and gained my permanent sobriety. But the stigma of alcoholism cost me ten years. For a decade, I knew I was in trouble, but refused…