Don't say "lato."

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Many of us were taught this as children, but nowadays we know that words can indeed hurt, and are meant to hurt, when they are used in hate speech. Sometimes hate speech is an early warning sign of violence.

Today, June 18, is International Day for Countering Hate Speech. There is a word in Nepali, “lato,” used against Deaf people. It means “deaf and dumb” and is a hateful thing to say. It reinforces the stereotype that Deaf people are also stupid. The correct word in Nepali is bahirā to refer to Deaf people.

Bhawani saw the word “lato” often when he was living in Goldhap refugee camp. It was a taunt the other children used as they excluded him from soccer games and made fun of him in school. Among adults, “lato” was used to justify discrimination, to deny access, to isolate and exclude.

A ceremony on Disability Day in Goldhap Refugee Camp. Bhawani is in the center, flanked by 15 others.

In 1996, the annual Disability Day Festival was introduced into the refugee camps, supported in part by Caritas Nepal. It was an opportunity for Deaf people, bahirā, to share their pride and to fight discrimination and oppression and show the strengths of people with disabilities.

It’s important to stand up against hate speech, whether in person or online. If you encounter hate speech, speak up!