Slur Resurgence: Reintegration of a Derogatory Term into Mainstream Language
In April, Joe Rogan, host of the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, used a derogatory slur within the initial 45 seconds of a podcast episode. The slur, historically used to marginalize individuals with disabilities, echoed a similar remark by Elon Musk a few months prior, following a criticism about the spread of misinformation.
The use of the slur saw a significant increase on Twitter, a platform Musk owns, in the days following his January post. In a study by the Department of Communication at Montclair State University, researchers found that over 312,000 subsequent posts on Twitter, between the days of Musk's post and the end of their study period, contained the offensive term.
Influential figures like Rogan, Musk, and Kanye West have been using the slur on various platforms where millions can see and hear them throughout 2025. Most recently, West used the derogatory word in March to refer to Jay-Z and Beyoncé's twins, although the posts in question have since been deleted.
There is growing concern that these public figures are employing the slur to incite controversy and attract more attention to their content. By using a term that has long been used to disparage and diminish people with disabilities, they are reinforcing its acceptability among followers and admirers who engage with their posts.
Neither Rogan, Musk, nor West have responded to CNN’s requests for comment regarding their use of the slur.
The resurgence of the slur is symptomatic of a larger issue: a decline in empathy. Adrienne Massanari, an associate professor at American University, noted, "People’s masks are off. This is not just a misunderstanding but the mischaracterization and demonization of communities. The use of that kind of language is signaling a shift, a desire to sort of push the envelope."
The slur's renewed popularity is the latest effort in a movement to normalize hate, according to Massanari. The slur initially replaced other offensive terms, introduced in 1895 as a "neutral" replacement for words like "imbecile," "moron," and "feebleminded." However, under conditions of institutionalization and forced sterilization, it eventually became a hurtful insult.
The backlash against the use of the slur grew louder in the 1970s as people with disabilities advocated for their right to participate fully in society and end the use of ableist language. The "Spread the Word to End the Word" campaign, an initiative launched in 2009 to discourage the use of the slur, encouraged young people in particular to cease using the derogatory term toward their peers.
Despite these efforts, the resurgence of the slur in public discourse prompts concern for the impact on marginalized communities. According to Brandon Harris, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama who studies content creators, platforms can inadvertently "reward" controversial content that draws attention due to inconsistent guidelines and enforcement on hate speech.
When reached for comment, neither Twitter nor Spotify, platforms where the slur has been used, responded regarding their hate speech guidelines or handling of posts containing the offensive term.
- The ongoing use of a derogatory slur by celebrities like Joe Rogan, Elon Musk, and Kanye West, despite the backlash, raises concerns about empathy and the normalization of hate speech.
- Adrienne Massanari, an associate professor at American University, suggests that the resurgence of this slur is a shift towards pushing the envelope, rather than a mere mischaracterization or misunderstanding.
- On Twitter, a platform owned by Elon Musk, the usage of the offensive term skyrocketed after Musk's post in January, shedding light on the potential impact of influential figures' words on public discourse.
- The slur's renewed popularity echoes a larger issue in society, as it initially replaced other offensive terms and was later used as an insult under conditions of institutionalization and forced sterilization.
- Despite efforts to discourage the use of the slur, such as the "Spread the Word to End the Word" campaign, its resurgence in politics, pop-culture, social media, and general news is causing significant concern for marginalized communities.
