The R-Word and the Language of Disability with Christina Cipriano, PhD • Reimagining the Good Life

S10 E3—Political language may shape how we imagine disability and human dignity more than we realize. Christina Cipriano, PhD, joins Amy Julia Becker to discuss her research on how political leaders talk about disability, including the return of the R-word, and what these patterns reveal about systems shaping care, education, and belonging. They also explore what it means to resist harmful language and to choose words that move us toward justice and joy. CHAPTER LIST: 00:00 Introduction to Disability Discourse Matters 05:34 Asset-Based vs. Deficit-Based Perspectives 09:08 Personal Narratives and Language Choices 18:30 The Rise, Fall, and Rise of the R Word 22:23 Dehumanization in Political Rhetoric 27:28 Historical Context of Disability Discourse 31:41 Disability Language and Future Generations 39:29 Reimagining Disability and the Good Life Show Notes and Transcript: https://amyjuliabecker.com/disability... Find more episodes: https://amyjuliabecker.com/shows/ Join the conversation on Substack: https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/ Where you can find me: Instagram:   / amyjuliabecker   Facebook:   / amyjuliabeckerwriter   Threads: https://www.threads.net/@amyjuliabecker