During a council session in Ełk, Poland, two council members used offensive terms – “vegetables” and “cripples” – to describe people with disabilities, sparking outrage.
Council Members’ Offensive Remarks Spark Outrage
Ewelina Truszkowska and Andrzej Wiszowaty, members of the Ełk Poviat Council, used dehumanizing language towards people with disabilities during a session, referring to them as “vegetables” and “cripples.” No one present objected to the remarks.
The incident has caused significant public outrage, and the Ełk Starost (county head) has distanced themselves from the controversial statements.
Shocking Footage Emerges from Ełk Session
A recent session of the Ełk Poviat Council was marred by deeply offensive language used to describe people with disabilities, raising questions about standards of public debate at the local level.
Council Member Truszkowska’s Explanation
Council member Ewelina Truszkowska, who chairs the Committee on Family, Health and Social Assistance and is a member of the Education and Culture Committee, used the term “vegetables” when referring to people with disabilities. Andrzej Wiszowaty, the council chairman, reportedly called people with disabilities “cripples.”
Truszkowska defended her statement, claiming it was made during a specific discussion and that the word was poorly chosen, but her intention was not to offend. She stated she aimed to highlight the real problem of accessibility for people with disabilities.
Council Chairman Wiszowaty’s Response
Truszkowska also stated she feels targeted due to her election results and that she has a long history of helping people with disabilities and seniors. She questioned why someone would try to “destroy” her over a single word.
Andrzej Wiszowaty explained that he meant no harm and that the discussion was motivated by concern for people with disabilities. He acknowledged that terms like “cripple” and “invalid” are now considered inappropriate and suggested that “person with greater needs” might replace “disabled” in the future.
Silence and Lack of Reaction Criticized
The lack of immediate reaction from other council members during the session has drawn criticism, with some interpreting it as tacit approval of hateful language or a lack of sensitivity towards exclusionary language. Some have also suggested the footage is taken out of context.
Starost Condemns the Remarks
Ełk Starost Marek Chojnowski condemned the language used by the council members, stating that such terms are unacceptable in both official and private settings and that he would never use such language himself.
Calls for Consequences and the Impact of Language
Experts and organizations advocating for people with disabilities emphasize the real impact of language on how this group is perceived and treated. The use of such terms perpetuates stereotypes, deepens exclusion, and undermines the dignity of people who already face daily barriers.
There are growing calls for consequences for the council members involved, with many emphasizing the particular responsibility of public officials to choose their words carefully.