Normalism: (1) The belief that whatever is unusual or different is pathological. (2) The rejection of and/or pathologization of the natural spectrum of human diversity. Marked by…
Fear and/or uneasiness around those whose physical characteristics are different from usual. Fear and/or uneasiness around those whose gender identity or gender presentation is different from usual. Fear and/or uneasine
ss around those whose mental characteristics are different from usual. Fear and/or uneasiness around those whose racial features are different from usual. Fear and/or uneasiness around those whose sexuality falls outside of heteronormativity. Fear and/or uneasiness around those whose body language, movements, and comportment are different from usual. Fear and/or uneasiness around those whose style of dress is different from usual. Fear and/or uneasiness around those whose overall way of communicating with others is different from usual. Fear and/or uneasiness around those whose life experience is too different from that which is widely considered to be the norm. Because normalism is so widespread in western culture, (1) we don’t even have a word for it really, and (2) even if we try to speak about natural human difference in a respectful, appreciative, and consciencious manner, it can still be alienating to someone because the connotations in the english language always very powerfully suggest that only what is usual is healthy and positive whereas what is not usual is unhealthy and negative. One ends up in a linguistic bind because the concept of “difference” and the concept of “pathology” are so interlinked. Even using the word “normal” is inherently a bit cruel. Whenever we use the word “normal” we’re inherently suggesting that what is different from normal is abnormal / problematic / pathological / in need of reigning in / in need of correction / in need of a patriarchal figure to come down and make it all better / in need of some trained professional to help what is “deviant” to conform to dominant notions about what’s normal. Normalism is a thing in it’s own right. Normalism somewhat overlaps with other isms and bigotries, but it has its own unique nature and aspects. (source: http://disabledbyculture.tumblr.com/post/21085464057/submitted-for-your-approval)
