Retard

[Conservative Hippie]

The N word on the other hand has but one meaning, and it is always used in a negative, offensive manner.

Except for when rappers use it. Then it's ok.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Except for when rappers use it. Then it's ok.

No it isn't.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

The musical term is ritard, not retard. It is abbreviated rit in music, not ret. They are not even pronounced the same.

The musical term is ritardando, abbreviated rit. And as far as pronunciation, if I'm giving instruction, I would probably say "retard" and not give it a second thought. It's a real word that means to slow down.

That being said, I would never even think of using it as a noun. My father is physically handicapped and I have witnessed teenagers throwing that word at him just because he can't walk. I would definitely put it on the same level as the N word, the B word, the C word, etc.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

No it isn't.

Really????? Huh.......you'd never know that listening the radio or watching MTV or BET. Someone ought to let them know.

 

[TheGoofster]

Except for when rappers use it. Then it's ok.

I don't think that the meaning of the word changes when the rappers use it, but it definately does send a mixed signal to the kids who listen to them. It's too bad that there weren't more good examples like Bill Cosby for kids to listen to instead of these rappers who fuel the fire of discrimanation by using such deragotory language on the one hand, and then telling them that it's bad on the other.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

The musical term is ritard, not retard. It is abbreviated rit in music, not ret. They are not even pronounced the same.

Um excuse me for the typo!!! And yes I know that they are not pronounced exactly the same but at 5 ,3, and 1, I think it is close enough. But since my dh and I have a degree in music I think that is the best way to explain a way to use a particular word to my kids. That is what we use as an example. But thanks.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

The musical term is ritardando, abbreviated rit. And as far as pronunciation, if I'm giving instruction, I would probably say "retard" and not give it a second thought. It's a real word that means to slow down.
That being said, I would never even think of using it as a noun. My father is physically handicapped and I have witnessed teenagers throwing that word at him just because he can't walk. I would definitely put it on the same level as the N word, the B word, the C word, etc.

Thank you. This is exactly what I was trying to say.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Um excuse me for the typo!!! And yes I know that they are not pronounced exactly the same but at 5 ,3, and 1, I think it is close enough. But since my dh and I have a degree in music I think that is the best way to explain a way to use a particular word to my kids. That is what we use as an example. But thanks.

Just out of curiosity (don't mean to hijack), what are your degrees in? Mine is historical musicology, minor vocal performance.

 

[SandrainNC]

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.

It is just as bad to the parent of a child or loved one who is mentally ********. Not sure which is worse. Being rude to an entire race or being rude to people with disabilities. Both are just wrong!

It feels like somebody kicks me in the stomach every time I hear it used as slang. And because of the slang use of the word, that word is not used for my son. I refuse. I say "cognitively delayed" usually.

I had to tell an attorney where I work twice to stop using it towards her computer. This is a supposedly highly educated person. Yeah, whatever. And the response was "oh, I didn't know people with Down syndrome were that". yeah, whatever.

I love the speech that the teenager gave at school about his sister!

Sandra

 

[monsterkitty]

Um excuse me for the typo!!! And yes I know that they are not pronounced exactly the same but at 5 ,3, and 1, I think it is close enough. But since my dh and I have a degree in music I think that is the best way to explain a way to use a particular word to my kids. That is what we use as an example. But thanks.

Sorry, I wasn't aware it was a typo.

I also have a degree in music and I will not say ree tard because it was not only pounded into my head in college that this is not the correct pronunciation, but by saying ree tard, I am giving my students a mixed message.

Maybe the pronunciation depends on your location.

Once again, I apologize as I wasn't aware it was a typo.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

Really????? Huh.......you'd never know that listening the radio or watching MTV or BET. Someone ought to let them know.

Just because it's on the radio mtv/bet doesn't mean it's alright. I don't use mtv, the radio, or bet as a yardstick for what's right and wrong. There are ignorant people of all races and it doesn't mean it's right for any of them to use it.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Sorry, I wasn't aware it was a typo.

I also have a degree in music and I will not say ree tard because it was not only pounded into my head in college that this is not the correct pronunciation, but by saying ree tard, I am giving my students a mixed message.

Maybe the pronunciation depends on your location.

Once again, I apologize as I wasn't aware it was a typo.

No problem. I am from Long Island so we do have a bit of an accent although I have no idea why they say that...

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

i had to explain to my step son who is 14 that this isn't something you should say...

his mother uses it often..everything is "********" to her

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Just out of curiosity (don't mean to hijack), what are your degrees in? Mine is historical musicology, minor vocal performance.

Jazz and commercial music and vocal performance. I am also a cellist. I can however play a few other instruments fairly well.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Just because it's on the radio mtv/bet doesn't mean it's alright. I don't use mtv, the radio, or bet as a yardstick for what's right and wrong. There are ignorant people of all races and it doesn't mean it's right for any of them to use it.

I agree with you here but I think the point that some were making (although I could be wrong) was that if people who would be offended by the use of such a word greet each other with that word and/or use it in conversation, or in a song or for whatever reason by using that word then how can they possibly be mad or upset if someone else refers to them by that word? If you were say a neighbor and you heard me greeting everyone I knew closely by calling them stinkbutt and I sang the stinkbutt song and joked around saying things like "You're a stinkbutt" etc. and said neighbor decides to use the word stinkbutt in a conversation and I get offended then that's pretty stupid IMO. If you ( and I don't mean you in particular, just a general you) don't want to be spoken to or about in a certain way then you can't do as you please and then expect others to follow your unwritten rules because they might offend you. Teach people how you want to be treated. JMHO.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Sorry, I wasn't aware it was a typo.

I also have a degree in music and I will not say ree tard because it was not only pounded into my head in college that this is not the correct pronunciation, but by saying ree tard, I am giving my students a mixed message.

Maybe the pronunciation depends on your location.

Once again, I apologize as I wasn't aware it was a typo.

I wouldn't say REE-tard either, because that is not how you pronounce the English word retard when using it as a verb. I would say ree-TARD the same way I'd say ri-TARD.

Anyway...that's all beside the point....

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I agree with you here but I think the point that some were making (although I could be wrong) was that if people who would be offended by the use of such a word greet each other with that word and/or use it in conversation, or in a song or for whatever reason by using that word then how can they possibly be mad or upset if someone else refers to them by that word? If you were say a neighbor and you heard me greeting everyone I knew closely by calling them stinkbutt and I sang the stinkbutt song and joked around saying things like "You're a stinkbutt" etc. and said neighbor decides to use the word stinkbutt in a conversation and I get offended then that's pretty stupid IMO. If you ( and I don't mean you in particular, just a general you) don't want to be spoken to or about in a certain way then you can't do as you please and then expect others to follow your unwritten rules because they might offend you. Teach people how you want to be treated. JMHO.

Thanks for that! I'm starting to think I need to put a disclaimer at the bottom of all my posts..


***Warning! This post may contain sarcasm!***

 

[gemmie214]

We live near a home for ******** people.... that is how THEY introduce themselves. As in "hi my name is Joe and I am ********". Now these are all people in there 50s or 60s.

If you are mentally ********, how is that different from being called a Downie or Developmentally Disabled?

I do not get all this political correctness.

According to the online Webster dictionary - a definition
4 a : an abnormal slowness of thought or action; also : less than normal intellectual competence usually characterized by an IQ of less than 70 b : slowness in development or progress

Wow, I find that strange as all heck!

Why would the staff at the home have the residents introduce themselves that way?

I don't go around saying, "Hi I'm Jana and I am blue eyed."

I don't understand the concept of teaching or treating those that have delays or are disabled any different from those that are not.

We all live in the same world, we are all a part of society!

 

["Got Disney"]

There are many hurtfull words out there and when you hear kids use them you correct them...when adults use them and you correct them they just tell you to shut up

My son has Tourretts syndrome and has about 6 tic's and for one of his friends teased him and it was a good friend from Football. My Ds who is 10 got very upset for the first time ever about it and started crying.

He has never let it bother him before even when friends he grew up with would, although that was very seldom, but guess as he gets older and is heading into Middle school with kids that don't know him it may become harder.

Sometimes kids just do it because they don't understand. or they are young bullies looking for attention...adults get it and are just jerks.

Words like Retard are old words like when I was young...am 49...the word was used before the term Mental illness or mentally challenged, words like that came into play.

It is a dying word but the word that bothers me the worst is the word Nig***(sp) that is just so unnessasary and is a popular word still mostly in the music...why cant people seem to get away from that word

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I agree with you here but I think the point that some were making (although I could be wrong) was that if people who would be offended by the use of such a word greet each other with that word and/or use it in conversation, or in a song or for whatever reason by using that word then how can they possibly be mad or upset if someone else refers to them by that word? If you were say a neighbor and you heard me greeting everyone I knew closely by calling them stinkbutt and I sang the stinkbutt song and joked around saying things like "You're a stinkbutt" etc. and said neighbor decides to use the word stinkbutt in a conversation and I get offended then that's pretty stupid IMO. If you ( and I don't mean you in particular, just a general you) don't want to be spoken to or about in a certain way then you can't do as you please and then expect others to follow your unwritten rules because they might offend you. Teach people how you want to be treated. JMHO.

I completely agree with you. I think if you don't want the n word to be used, then it should not be used in an any manner. I think some people use the excuse that when they do that, they are trying to "trivialize" the word, but in essence I think it becomes mainstreamed instead and everyone wants to use it. I don't think there can ever be a positive spin on that word.