Diana Gabaldon apologizes for choice of words when describing readers
Diana Gabaldon has taken to Twitter to apologize for a choice of words in a tweet. What happened, and why was it important for her to apologize?
We’re never too old to learn and grow. And apologizing for upsetting people is not a bad thing. Gabaldon proved that when she took to Twitter to apologize for a particular choice of wording in a tweet.
When talking to someone, she used the phrase “mental derangements” when describing some people. Of course, words can be taken in ways they aren’t meant. That’s the thing with life experiences and wording that has been used against them over the years. Many fans took to Twitter to question the choice of phrasing, with some understandably taking offense in the wording.
While some fans attacked others for calling Diana Gabaldon out, the Outlander author took to Twitter to apologize for her wording. We shouldn’t be negative toward those who were offending by the wording because we don’t know their lived experiences with terms. These were fans with OCD, depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses that may have been described as “derangements” in the past.
I’ll say that as someone with depression, anxiety, and PTSD, I didn’t take offense at the term and understood the context. However, I’ve never been told I was deranged because of my mental illnesses.
Diana Gabaldon shows maturity in her apology
Rather than being offended by people questioning the “mental derangements” term, Gabaldon took to Twitter to quote a few comments and apologized. She apologized for how her words could have been taken, and she hadn’t thought about how her wording could be taken by others.
We don’t always think about how our choice of words can be viewed by other people. In this case, Gabaldon explained that she didn’t mean anyone with mental illnesses, but that the term was for mass murderers, stalkers, etc.
Well, no, and I should think that's a pretty good indication that I -don't- think.mental illness is a derangement. Mass murderers, stalkers, yes. Of course I wasn't thinking of OCD, PTSD, depression, anxiety--I think most people suffer from such conditions occasionally. https://t.co/2cOojBg1dY
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) July 12, 2021
I understand, and I apologize. I'd never once thought of mental illness as a derangement (a huge number of people suffer from anxiety, depression, OCD, etc.--I have several people in my family who do,, but I'd never think of that as derangement.) Please forgive me. https://t.co/ZHCpyQeUM9
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) July 12, 2021
Thank YOU, and I'm so pleased that the books were helpful to you. Yes, I was joking, but it was thoughtless, and I apologize. https://t.co/wG45Rww7Et
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) July 12, 2021
Taking the time to explain and apologize was extremely mature. We can all learn how our words are taken and the different lived experiences people have. We can all have a little grace for the way words can be taken due to experiences, and Gabaldon offered that with her apologies.
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