An Apology For The Apology? Blind Survivor Deplores Use Of Ableist Slur By Prime Minister At Historic Apology For Abuse. "Scoop politics"
Jonathan Mosen, a longstanding leader in the disability sector and a survivor of abuse in state care, has expressed his hurt, disappointment, and anger at Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s use of an ableist, pejorative phrase at an event which should have been a safe space for disabled survivors.
Jonathan, who is blind, says the use of the phrase “turned a blind eye” to describe the State’s response to abuse was insensitive and inappropriate under the circumstances.
“The phrase "turn a blind eye" is an inherently ableist expression that wrongly equates blindness with ignorance, neglect, or deliberate stupidity. This phrase, like many others, reinforces the dangerous and outdated stereotype that blind people are less perceptive, capable, or engaged than their sighted counterparts,” says Jonathan.
Jonathan Mosen, a longstanding leader in the disability sector and a survivor of abuse in state care, has expressed his hurt, disappointment, and anger at Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s use of an ableist, pejorative phrase at an event which should have been a safe space for disabled survivors.
Jonathan, who is blind, says the use of the phrase “turned a blind eye” to describe the State’s response to abuse was insensitive and inappropriate under the circumstances.
“The phrase "turn a blind eye" is an inherently ableist expression that wrongly equates blindness with ignorance, neglect, or deliberate stupidity. This phrase, like many others, reinforces the dangerous and outdated stereotype that blind people are less perceptive, capable, or engaged than their sighted counterparts,” says Jonathan.