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nursejenspring t1_iyb1hu8 wrote

Reply to comment by AsanoSokato in Eli5: What does it exactly mean when doctor says a baby is born addicted to crack? by SuspiciousBeing6499

This is absolutely, positively, 100% the correct answer to the question about crack cocaine specifically. The phrase "crack babies" is a racist, classist dogwhistle.

This is not to say that using cocaine in any form is safe during pregnancy! It can cause pregnancy complications, but a baby born addicted to crack is not one of them.

That said, most babies whose mothers used opiates during pregnancy (including methadone maintenance therapy) will experience opiod withdrawal symptoms after birth. This is called neonatal abstinence syndrome and is characterized by hypertonicity, irritability, vomiting/diarrhea, sneezing, poor sleep, poor feeding, and/or a distinctive high-pitched cry.

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SuspiciousBeing6499 OP t1_iyb8igx wrote

Had no idea that it was a racist or classist term. Just kept hearing the term a lot and never knew exactly what it meant. My bad

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AsanoSokato t1_iybbz3t wrote

May be a good time to examine the environment you're in such that you would hear a racist or classist term a lot. Spread the knowledge.

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SuspiciousBeing6499 OP t1_iybcsdf wrote

I mean it’s not just my environment. My parents grew up in the 90’s in the south L.A. and would hear it from the community there a lot as well. Relax please, I just asked a question

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AsanoSokato t1_iybkb67 wrote

lol no racism in south L.A.
just ask Rodney King

And I just gave an answer.

Examining one's life is not a criticism, but a show strength. Be strong.

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nursejenspring t1_iybem84 wrote

We live in a racist and classist society and we're all marinating in it 24/7. You aren't exempt; everyone has absorbed racist and classist beliefs just by existing.

Until that changes, it's what we do when we learn about the racism and classism inherent in an idea or a phrase that defines us. Now that OP is aware that it's racist and classist, they can choose not to use it anymore and can "spread the knowledge" to others.

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