Retard

[roliepolieoliefan]

I have to agree.

These two words aren't even in the same ballpark.

Sorry but I think they are. They are both offensive sterotypes to different types of people. One word might offend you more than another. But they are both offensive , derrogatory words.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Even though both have a stigma attached to them, I don't think retard is anywhere as bad as the "N" word. I don't think people should be called either.

ITA.

 

[KristinBelle]

Even though both have a stigma attached to them, I don't think retard is anywhere as bad as the "N" word. I don't think people should be called either.

I agree.

 

[hentob]

These two words aren't even in the same ballpark.

I don't think one group owns the title of Most Offensive Expression Used Against Them. There is no Market to Corner here

They are all meant to degrade. They are all meant to make the user of the word feel superior. They are all meant to tell the victim that they are "beneath" the person using the derogatory word


The Polish, The Italians, African Americans, The Chinese, The Japanese, folks from the Middle East, The Jewish People, Native Americans, those from Puerto Rico, homosexuals and, yes, people with Down Syndrome. They all have had very negative words used against them in the past, and will continue to have those words thrown in their faces in the future


And, yes, they are all in the same ballpark.

 

[brasswillow]

I absolutely agree - and I'll go one step further than you by stating that I despise the word so much that I wouldn't even post it on this thread or say it.

I agree. It hurt to just read it.

 

[PlainJane]

I was channel sufering the other day, and shortly after flipping to Dr. Phil he decided to call something ********. I was so shocked and upset by someone who is supposed to be shelling out advice showing such a lack in judgement.

I'm friends with two mentally and physically handicapped girls, they'll spend the rest of their life dependent on someone to take care of them, they'll never get married, or have kids, or ever even be able to think past the level of a at best ten year old, and I can't figure out for the life of me why that's so funny.

 

[Snow_White]

I have to agree.

These two words aren't even in the same ballpark.

Sorry I totally disagree. I think it has to do with personal experience probably.

 

[Andy B]

I was channel sufering the other day, and shortly after flipping to Dr. Phil he decided to call something ********. I was so shocked and upset by someone who is supposed to be shelling out advice showing such a lack in judgement.

I'm friends with two mentally and physically handicapped girls, they'll spend the rest of their life dependent on someone to take care of them, they'll never get married, or have kids, or ever even be able to think past the level of a at best ten year old, and I can't figure out for the life of me why that's so funny.

I thought 'developmentally ********' was a genuine phrase.

 

[TheGoofster]

I'm sorry, but retard(ed) is no way as bad a word as the N word.
The word retard actually means to impede, to hinder or to cause to slow down. For example, the doctor might tell the mother of a sick child "Be sure to give your daughter this medicine twice a day because the virus she has contracted could very easily retard her growth for the next couple of years"
The phrase mentally ********, literally means that somebody's mental capacity is hindered, or slower than normal.
Unfortunately there are many people who have taken this word and changed it to be an insult to somebody who is mentally limited. But the use of the word itself is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact the example someone gave of Dr. Phil calling something ******** is not really a bad thing. He was saying that something was not right, something was preventing one object from functioning like it ought to. Something was retarding it from being what it should be.
I know there are many people who use this word in a negative, slandering way, but that does not mean that the word itself is a bad word.
The N word on the other hand has but one meaning, and it is always used in a negative, offensive manner.

 

[Andy B]

Check out this;

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20070710/ten-love-declares-smoking-ban-********-ea4616c.html

 

[mirthmaiden]

One definition of the word "********" is delayed. Any word can be offensive if used to degrade someone. Instead of being offended at the word itself, be offended at the person using the word and their intent. As soon as you "ban" somebody's word, they'll find another one. If people didn't get so worked up about it, it would lose it's appeal.

 

[kdibattista]

It pained me to write it. But I wanted to make a statement I can't take it anymore. I am so sick of hearing young people SCREAM it to each other

As the sister and aunt of girls with Down syndrome, Thank you.

 

[Scutapipig]

Someone posted this not too long ago and it's worth a read:

In Such an Era of Political Correctness, Why is the Word "Retard" Still OK?
http://www.specialolympics.org/Spec..._Room/Global_news/ARC+of+Illinois+Reprint.htm

 

[kdibattista]

I thought 'developmentally ********' was a genuine phrase.

It is but that was not the context in which he used it. I was quite appalled as well. I have no problem with it being used properly. My sister is mentally ********. My niece is mentally ********. Kids (and sadly even adults) calling others "retards" simply to get a rise out of them is heartbreaking to those of us who have a loved one who is "developmentally ********".

 

[lewdyan1]

It's not just teenagers Donny Deutsch just used it on the Today Show! So I guess we need to educate adults also!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Personally I can't stand the word when it is used in a negative context. Our kids don't even know the negative meaning of the word. We are however musicians and have explained that retard means to slow down when you are playing music. Other than that they won't be using that word at all.

 

[6TimeMomma]

I have to agree.

These two words aren't even in the same ballpark.

I disagree. I feel they are both extremely offensive. That being said, I never have heard a mentally disabled person refer to another as the "r" word as in "Hey "r" what's up?" Can't say the same about the "N" word.

 

[MAKmom]

Got your attention? Good.

Please teach your children (esp. your teenagers) that this is right up there with the N Word

If it is just as bad would you title a thread with the N word? It is up there with Idiot or moron. Also you will not get points for this thread.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I disagree. I feel they are both extremely offensive. That being said, I never have heard a mentally disabled person refer to another as the "r" word as in "Hey "r" what's up?" Can't say the same about the "N" word.

I was about to post the same thing. It must not be too offensive if it is OK to use among themselves.

 

[MAKmom]

I was about to post the same thing. It must not be too offensive if it is OK to use among themselves.

You better reread what you just wrote...I hope you did not mean it the way it sounds