The labels that we use to describe people with exceptionalities are often inappropriate; however, by discussing these labels we can educate ourselves on what is appropriate and least harmful to those around us.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, race theory was perpetuated by certain linguists who believed that many Africans spoke creoles because they weren’t “advanced” or “intelligent” enough to learn their colonizers’ language, whether that be English, French, Portuguese, etc…These incorrect labels and assumptions contribute greatly to the dehumanization of people of African descent, and some governments still weaponize these misconceptions to further certain political agendas.