• @jeffw@lemmy.worldOPM
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    2224 days ago

    I believe mpox was, sadly, renamed because racists and their use of “monkey”. I think that was more the issue over men who have sex with men. “Ringworm” isn’t a slur though lol

    • Drusas
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      323 days ago

      That hadn’t occurred to me. I assumed it was relating gay men to monkeys that was the problem. You’re probably right, though.

    • prole
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      223 days ago

      Yeah I was trying to figure out who the slur would be aimed at… Wrestlers? Worms?

      • Drusas
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        323 days ago

        It’s not a slur; it’s just stigmatizing. “I’ve got a skin infection” will get a lot less of a negative reaction than “I’ve got ringworm” would. Parasites give people the heebie jeebies.