![]() If one were offended the hearing such terms then perhaps that’s a sign of a personal problem, which history has shown is best dealt with in relative privacy as opposed to airing it the general public. Therefore these are just words now albeit pejoratives, they no longer represent any relation to mental or physical disability. Retard, Retarded, Moron, Imbecile, Mongoloid, Defective, Cripple, Fool, Idiot, Cretin, Gimp, Feeble Minded, Stupid, Nut, Crazy, Freak and Spaz are just a few of the words which have been stricken from the various diagnostic and statistical manuals of mental and physical disorders. ![]() Once you realize that it is never okay to use the word in a derogatory way, let your friend, coworker, or new acquaintances know that what they are doing is wrong and that they’re words can hurt someone. The one thing public awareness campaigns from organizations like and similar organizations do is stress that you stop and think before using the R-word next time. One of the most memorable was a 30 second PSA that hit airwaves back in 2011 featuring Glee stars Jane Lynch and Lauren Potter reminding viewers that it is not acceptable to use the R-word. Campaigns like “Spread The Word To End The Word” serve as heartfelt pleas that encourage audiences to banish the word from their vocabularies. In the past few years, there have been several high profile campaigns that have launched encouraging people to make a pledge to end their use of the R-word. Stephens makes clear in this blog post, and other op-ed articles he’s penned, people can often be thoughtless and cruel, never fully understanding the damage that their words can have. At best, it is used as another way of saying ‘stupid’ or ‘loser.’ At worst, it is aimed directly at me as a way to label me as an outcast - a thing, not a person. “Let’s face it, nobody uses the word as a term of praise. “Why am I hurt when I hear ‘retard?’” John Franklin Stephens, Special Olympics global ambassador once wrote in a blog for Huffington Post. In this, as in other cases of discrimination, it’s best to let those directly affected speak for themselves. The definition of hate speech is, “attacks a person or group on the basis of attributes such as gender, ethnic origin, religion, race, disability, or sexual orientation.” In fact, using the R-word in this way is considered a slur and (to be blunt) a slur is considered hate speech. When used in those contexts it becomes a word that hurts, it hurts people with disabilities and their families. It is used to describe someone who they deem is inadequate or to describe something that doesn’t function correctly. When people use the word ‘retard’ or ‘retarded’ it isn’t to describe someone who has a disability. The word now carries a pejorative meaning that reinforces painful stereotypes. ![]() But, over time the word has been put to other uses and has become problematic and incredibly hurtful. How many of us have been in a conversation with someone - a friend, a coworker, or a new acquaintance - and he or she casually uses the word “retarded” or one of its variants? As a medical label for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the word was once considered to be neutral, clinical and incapable of offending.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |