Spread the word, End the Word campaign

[binny]

While I have mixed feelings about the campaign, I do not allow my children to use the word in a derogatory manner and they have little cause to use it otherwise. I, myself, also do not use it. Even in my work, we use "cognitively delayed" or "low" (as in IQ), though I do understand it's an acceptable term per the DSM IV.

Regardless, the OP is speaking with concern for her child. How someone can come on here and so callously laugh at, mock, and disregard her feelings is what is ridiculous.

Thank you.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

Hugs OP. I understand what you're trying to say, and I support it.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Hugs OP. I understand what you're trying to say, and I support it.

Me too.

 

[luvmy3]

OP, while I do not agree with the petition, that word is never uttered in my home in a derogatory way, by myself, or by my children. That is the best I can do to further the cause.

 

[minkydog]

I don't agree with this campaign. I understand the sentiment behind it, but I don't agree. Calling someone a 'retard' is an insult - and meant to be one - just as calling someone 'stupid' or 'dumb'.

As far as the word 'retarded' - I don't find anything offensive about that word at all. I have a 35 year old sister who is mentally retarded - that description has never bothered her, or me, or our mom (whom I just asked). How far are we going to go with PC words? People don't like being described as fat - but they like 'obese' even less. Do we keep changing the way we describe things every few years - and who decides that one term is better than another?

So, you think that calling someone a retard is acceptable because they're being stupid? Why?I think its very insulting to call names, whether its retard, the N-word, gay, stupid, klutz or dumb-head. IMO, retard is particularly offensive because it conveys a very negative stereotype of people who are indeed retarded.

But I don't really see what's wrong with calling someone mentally retarded, if the are. What is the new term we are supposed to use?

Personally, I don't mind the use of the word retarded to describe a mentally handicapped person. My DS14 is quite severely mentally retarded and I think the word conveys very easily to almost anyone the state of his affairs. The words I don't like are "cognitively impaired" intellectually impaired" "mentally challenged" "developmentally delayed" (as if he's ever going to catch up) To me, those are terms that minimize. If someone called my Christian retarded I would agree with them. If they called him a retard I'd beat them senseless.

Sorry, I think this is a stupid thing to be concerned about.

And I DO have family affected! My uncle calls HIMSELF retarded.

I would never call a person with mental retardation "retarded", but I may call a stupid person "retarded".

People need to just stop being so sensitive!

Nothing sensitive about it. I think you've got it exactly backwards. Retarded people are not stupid. Stupid people are stupid. And stupid people call names.

 

[NikitaZee]

So, you think that calling someone a retard is acceptable because they're being stupid? Why?I think its very insulting to call names, whether its retard, the N-word, gay, stupid, klutz or dumb-head. IMO, retard is particularly offensive because it conveys a very negative stereotype of people who are indeed retarded.

I don't understand how you're getting that from my post. I said that calling someone a 'retard' is an insult - not a word used in any acceptable manner whatsoever. Just as the words 'stupid', 'idiot', etc - are meant to be insulting, so is the word retard. It shouldn't be used at all.

This thread has been on my mind a lot. After I clicked on the link that the OP provided, I realized that the intent of the campaign is different than what I thought. I thought it was to stop using the word 'retarded' to describe mentally retarded people. That's not what it aims to do - it aims to stop people from using the words 'retard' and 'retarded' in everyday sentences - describing people who are not mentally retarded at all but are behaving stupidly. This I support wholeheartedly.

 

[Jynohn]

I have worked with special needs adults for over ten years. While I would never use the term "retard" to describe a person, I've always been taught that the "mentally retarded" was an acceptable term. In fact, the state agency that oversees us is called the "Department of Retardation."

 

[Sanchez]

I am not normally the PC police and most here will attest to that. This just hits close to home for me and I thought others here might relate to that. Apparently it does not.
Thank you to the few who supported the cause.

This is where the problem lies for some. Use (or misuse) of these words hits close to home for you. You may say certain things that are offensive to others. If everyone has that one phrase or word that they think is offensive it creates a web of offensive words or terms that is impossible monitor and comply with.

I think that these types of campaigns take away from the true and intended purposes of groups like Special Olympics. The word police angle can be a bit insulting.

 

[MariDisney]

I am in the special education field and have worked with children with mental retardation for more than 20 years. I have an uncle who has just recently passed away who lived with mental retardation. I have always used these words respectfully as a clinical diagnosis just as I do autism, cancer, depression, etc.

It is a no-brainer to say it is unkind and uncalled for to call a person a name in oder to insult or hurt them. This includes things like "retard", "butt face", "fat head", "stupid idiot", etc. To me, calling someone ANY hurtful name should not be done and I don't do it. The thing about this campaign is that people who call other people "retard" will not stop because of this campain (IMHO). The people who use the word that way have a mean spirit. Similarly, they wouldn't stop calling someone a "butt head" because someone else told them it wasn't nice. They already know it's not nice and they don't care!

To the OP, I feel for you having to console your child when he/she (sorry, don't remember) is called a name. I'm sorry you have to do that. Raising a child with these kinds of challenges is difficult in itself. Out of curiosity, do you think your child would be equally hurt if someone called him/her a "stupid fat hat' or some other unkind words?

As someone mentioned earlier in the thread, as a libertarian I hesitate to begin making lists of words that are unacceptable. People need to be responsible for their own actions. On the whole, the world would be a better place if everyone used kinder and gentler words. But, I don't believe in "forcing" that to happen.

 

[minkydog]

I don't understand how you're getting that from my post. I said that calling someone a 'retard' is an insult - not a word used in any acceptable manner whatsoever. Just as the words 'stupid', 'idiot', etc - are meant to be insulting, so is the word retard. It shouldn't be used at all.
.

You're right, I read your post completely wrong. I apologize. I let my personal feelings get a bit over-heated. Please forgive me. I was stupid.

 

[NikitaZee]

You're right, I read your post completely wrong. I apologize. I let my personal feelings get a bit over-heated. Please forgive me. I was stupid.

Of course you're not. I read the whole thread wrong - and apparently a few other poster did too - until I clicked on the OP's link. I thought the intent was to stop calling mentally retarded people 'mentally retarded' - when it's not that at all!! No hard feelings, I have a mentally retarded sister (whom we live with) so I know some things just hit way too close to home.

 

[shrubber]

Apparently, the message is getting out
http://http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0210/Palin_goes_after_Emanuel_on_retarded_slur.html

 

[jekajekalynn]

Well..I REALLY read the title of this thread wrong...I Thought it said "end the WORLD campaign"...

 

[Ember]

Unfortunately, words aren't what are important. It's the attitude behind them. I had a conversation with my class about using "retarded" as an insult and how it could be hurtful. Only to come out a week later to hear on kid hurl "What are you? Specially abled or something?!" at a classmate.

Specific words aren't important and you're only going to get on the euphemism treadmill, constantly finding new acceptable words as people corrupt the ones you're using.

OP, I'm sorry this is such a personal issue for you. But you do need to understand that unless acceptance is taught at home from an early age, the specific words used will never make a difference. (Not to say you shouldn't try, I do everyday. But I do think a better strategy would be to teach your child that these words really do have to power over them.)

 

[hentob]

...I've always been taught that the "mentally retarded" was an acceptable term.

It is. We use it all the time in IEPs.



But, like you, oh how I hate the word "retard" as slang. It makes me cringe to type it.

 

[sparklynails23]

People who use the term "retard" just sound trashy, unprofessional, and uneducated. They label themselves more than others.

 

[dispor]

OP, I agree with you.

I had a professor in college who everyone, including myself, thought was just an incredible person. He was very successful in his "outside" career (he was a part-time professor), he was intelligent, dedicated, etc., etc.

Then one day, he used the R-word. Not in referring to an intellectually-impaired person, but in the derogatory way that this campaign is trying to put an end to. My opinion of him changed completely when he chose to use that word. I should have gone up to him after class and asked if he realized the woman sitting next to me in class had a daughter with special needs.

I am confused why people here feel that someone is trying to MAKE them stop using the word. Maybe I missed it, but I see nowhere that they are trying to pass legislation prohibiting its use. It is strictly an informative campaign. Isn't that what most campaigns are - a way to inform others of your beliefs?