Kiss My Disabled Ass, Sephora

I've never posted this picture of my bolshy ass in a public forum, but I can't think of a more appropriate occasion than Sephora launching a Kat Von D lipstick in the shade 'Celebutard'.

In the words of Down Syndrome Uprising -

'Kat Von D seems to think it's okay to use a MINORITY SLUR and Sephora backs her up on this.

It does not seem to be clear that words 'retard', 'retarded', 'fucktard', 'tard', and 'celebutard' and all similar permutations are SLURS, the use of which signifies ignorance, disrespect, and sometimes malice.

If we as a society even 'look away' we are condoning inequality as well as lack of respect. It is not hard to err on the side of respect towards a huge group of people, a large minority.

Let's tell Sephora that they were perhaps ignorant, but since they are now aware of what the word signifies and what it means in a minority's struggle towards acceptance, inclusion, and equality, they are in fact condoning an oppressive practice. Every time a slur is accepted in use it will potentially reinforce an already unequal frame of thinking, or worse yet, shape a virgin mindset.

Words have power, let's use ours.'

At the end of the day, Kat Von D says, it's just a f*cking lipstick.

No, it's not.

It's a message to the rest of the world that it's okay to use hate speech against people with disability.

If you want to express your concern and outrage, sign Dave Hingsburger's petition here.

UPDATE - Success! From Sephora - 'We are deeply sorry that the name of this lipstick has caused offense, and we will be ceasing the sale of this shade both in our stores and online.' Viva le power of the people.

I think I might go and buy a lipstick from Sephora for the first time in my life - speedy and appropriate response.

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