Think before you make snide commentary

TO THE EDITOR:

To the dweebs out there who give judgmental glances, make snide remarks or obnoxiously call out people who take the elevator to the second floor. Really? That is not okay or funny.

What gives you the right to discriminate on elevator riders?

Here’s a little Human Rights 101 for you. You know racism and sexism? There’s also ableism (n.): discrimination or social prejudice against people with disabilities.

Here’s another mind-opener: You can’t tell if someone has a disability just by looking at them.

I have a friend with a neuromuscular disease, an “invisible disability.” She gets daily glares and rude comments in elevators.

Yes, that is discrimination and she deserves better. I’m writing this letter to do something about it.

Many people commit ableistic discrimination without realizing.

A person with Asperger’s tires of friends making jokes about how socially awkward they are.

If someone rarely texts you back, think before you judge — maybe they have carpal tunnel.

A dyslexic is disheartened by people making fun of their misspellings.

Imagine your anger when, after a day struggling through pain, mental or physical difficulties, or inability to join in “normal” activities, you come home to discrimination.

“Universal design” is a principle that refers to the design of products, activities and environments to be usable by all people.

Can’t we design a universe where equality can be usable by all people?

So next time someone takes the elevator to the second floor, you can leave out the sass. Nobody has tolerance for that.

Paige Holmes ’14
Psychology