When Mockery of the 1% Opens Up Opportunity for the 99%

The public mockery of stuttering causes immense harm and perpetuates hurtful stereotypes. Stuttering is a speech condition affecting people of all ages and backgrounds worldwide, and it is time we address the stigma surrounding it (again!).

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Every person deserves to express themselves without fear of ridicule or discrimination. Stuttering is not a joke; and those who stutter already face enough challenges in their daily lives without the added burden of public humiliation.

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By mocking stuttering, we not only hurt individuals directly affected by it but also send a message to the wider community that it is acceptable to ridicule those who are different. This perpetuates a cycle of bullying and exclusion that has no place in our society.

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We urge everyone to stand up against the mockery of stuttering in the public sphere and within our everyday circles. Let’s promote empathy, understanding, and acceptance. Let’s work toward creating a world where people who stutter feel valued and respected. 

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Together, we can put an end to the stigma surrounding stuttering and create a more inclusive and compassionate society for all. Together, we can make a difference!

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How can stuttering allies and advocates help end hurtful stereotypes?

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1. Recognize Ignorance - When faced with stuttering, a condition affecting roughly 1% of the population, many people lack awareness of its nature and implications. It's crucial to acknowledge that the majority of individuals are uninformed about this condition. This lack of understanding often leads to the reinforcement of myths and contributes to negative and hurtful reactions toward stuttering.
2. Prioritize Education - For those of us privileged to know people who stutter, it's important to seize every chance to raise awareness about stuttering within our circles. We regularly engage with individuals who may have limited knowledge about stuttering. Therefore, we should actively seek opportunities to educate them. By doing so, we can foster a culture of empathy and understanding, ensuring that when they encounter someone who stutters, they respond with compassion and support.
3. Take a Stand - When we encounter instances of ridicule, mockery, or belittling of people who stutter, it's imperative that we take a stand. Whether it's a friend making jokes about stuttering, a screenwriter depicting stuttering negatively, or a public figure mocking stuttering, we must address these situations whenever possible. Such behavior only serves to perpetuate a culture of intolerance and misunderstanding, and it's our responsibility to speak up and confront it.

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Who do we educate within our everyday circles?

- Our fellow peers

- Our colleagues and co-workers

- Our workout or yoga buddies

- Our golf or pickleball partners

- Our book club friends

- Our happy hour crew

- Our cooking or baking besties

- Our card-playing or board game amigos

- Our scrapbooking, painting, or knitting pals

- Our binge-watching buds

- Anyone and Everyone!

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"A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true." Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Let's not be silent about things that matter. Start the conversation today. Let’s end stuttering stigma!