„Piss On Pity!”
„Piss On Pity!”

Vulgarisms in the Language of Disability Rights Movement

Author(s): Monika Dubiel
Subject(s): Studies of Literature, Sociology, Polish Literature, Philology, Theory of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: language of protest; vulgarism; disability studies; Disability Rights Movement; Alan Holdsworth
Summary/Abstract: The language of social protests often evokes ambivalent feelings. On the one hand, it carries emancipatory power, on the other, it outrages because of breaking conventions. In this chapter I focus on one of linguistic tools used in such protests, namely vulgarisms. I try to investigate their subversive potential and reveal why they might be an attractive means of expression. The aim of this chapter is to reflect on the role that vulgarisms play in constructing the language of protest used by the Disability Rights Movement in the UK, on the example of activity and poems by Alan Holdsworth. I argue that vulgarisms are an excellent tool to overturn the norm. I distinguish three ways of using them: shock, provocation and subversion. My research material consists mainly of poems and lyrics by the mentioned author. Additionally, slogans on the placards on the demonstrations organized by him and press articles reporting those events are also taken into consideration. The history of the development of the Disability Rights Movement is the context of my investigation. Considerations are situated in the paradigm of disability studies.

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