words and power -slam terms
hey all,
gif, ever evolving person in recovery
Recently at the gift of clarity from my sponsee I've been pondering a lot about the use of derogatory language.
In my professional spaces I've evolved to use person first language. Keep the focus on the behavior and my side of the street and avoid labeling the other people.
This was and is being exasperated by one of my sponsee who has been feeling unsafe in SAA meeting when people use derogatory language to describe sex workers and their behaviors.
As you some of you know I am one of the mods here and have had people raise concerns about my request to be mindful of language.
Here is my perspective. Derogatory language has been used to dehumanize people to justify and rationalize abuse. Out of consideration for our minor attracted fellows we do not use the p word. Out of concern for people who pay for access to other peoples bodies with dont use the other fin. p*g word.
Why should we allow people to use derogatory labels for sex workers ? I dont think it's fair. Its also something various of my sponsees express make them feel uncomfortable in meetings especially taking ownership of how difficult it is staying sober at the idea of being paid to act out.
Sex addiction takes many forms. For those who act out with people it can be the compulsions to pay for access to a person who would not have allowed you to touch them otherwise. I.e the person who purchased sex. Or it can be the sick and suffering addict struggling to stay sober who caved to the idea of letting someone outside of their attraction spectrum touch them in exchange for something they needed.
Language has power. I welcome you to comment if you disagree and let's have a conversation