The Language of Music (Ableist Language)

Demi Lovato just released a rock version of their song “Heart Attack”.

I’ve loved Demi and her music since their “Sonny with a Chance” days, but something has always bothered me about “Heart Attack”.

In the song, she sings, “Never break a sweat for the other guys; When you come around, I get paralyzed”. As someone who experiences actual paralysis, hearing them say that when she's not talking about actual paralysis really upsets me.

Hearing ableist language from any artist I genuinely love and adore really upsets me.

The thing about ableist language is many people view it simply as the “r-word”. It’s true that that word is incredibly awful and ableist and should not be used. At the same time, though, ableist language goes farther than that.

Speaking as someone whose first language is English, many ableist words are in our day-to-day vocabulary.

Many people use ableist language in songs without hesitation. If I were to try to name all the songs with ableist language we’d be here all day. It can be anything. From one “crazy” in a line to a whole song called “Paralyzed”.

As I mentioned in my “It’s About Dang Time (Representation in Music Pt. 1)” post, people often take in music before watching TV or learning to read. This is why enforcing the idea that using these words is okay is dangerous. We are taught and constantly fed the narrative that disability in any capacity is a bad thing. As a result, we are also taught words relating to disability are insults or just generally bad things.

Music is a safe place for a lot of people, but how are disabled people supposed to feel safe when we constantly hear words that are used to hurt us?

Ever since I was a kid I’ve used music as a way to daydream and relax.

I think about being surrounded by people who genuinely love and appreciate me as I am. I think about doing all the things I want to do - all the goals and dreams I have.

I listen to music to feel less alone in my feelings and experiences.

When I hear ableist language, I’m immediately taken out of the song. I’m immediately reminded that I’m viewed as less than because I’m disabled. That many people view my life as a tragedy. That some people think it’s okay to throw words around because disabled people are not taken into consideration.

Changing words in your vocabulary doesn’t have to be complicated. Do some research. There are at least 171,146 words in the English language. You can find some replacements.

The main thing is that you just have to care about other humans. Learning and research isn’t such a chore then.