Help Us End the R-Word

3894 · 03-24-2009, 10:24 AM

Special Olympics is designating next Tuesday, March 31 the day to “Spread the Word to End the Word.” Help end the use of the slur “retard”.

For more information and to join the campaign, visit their website. They've got info, blog buttons, and everything else you can imagine.

Thanks in advance for considering helping.

innerSpaceman · 03-24-2009, 11:02 AM

Saying retard is so gay!

cirquelover · 03-24-2009, 12:07 PM

I saw that guy on Bonnie Hunt. I think a lot of words that used to be common use are now politically incorrect and should be gone from our everyday vocab.

Kevy Baby · 03-24-2009, 12:18 PM

In this case, the word itself doesn't (and shouldn't) be banned from our language; just the usage in this case.

I was just at a Special Olympics planning session for the upcoming Games in Orange County (as usual, I am volunteering) and there was no mention of this. I will have to ask my contact about it.

Strangler Lewis · 03-24-2009, 12:27 PM

Okay, I'll play devil's advocate. While I don't condone making fun of disabled people, I feel that the word is often an apt criticism of the presumptively abled--even though I think it more than say it. If we can't say "retard," may one/must one then say, "He repeatedly engages in conduct, the foolishness of which should be obvious to anyone of even borderline normal intelligence"? If we can say that, aren't we saying the same thing as "God, what a retard." If we can't say "retard," do we also lose "idiot" and "moron" and other terms that have at their root a specific definition of cognitive limitations?

Kevy Baby · 03-24-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

...do we also lose "idiot" and "moron" and other terms that have at their root a specific definition of cognitive limitations?

No; we need those words to describe Moonliner

3894 · 03-24-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Okay, I'll play devil's advocate. While I don't condone making fun of disabled people, I feel that the word is often an apt criticism of the presumptively abled--even though I think it more than say it. If we can't say "retard," may one/must one then say, "He repeatedly engages in conduct, the foolishness of which should be obvious to anyone of even borderline normal intelligence"?

No. “Retard” is a slur. “Retarded” works in a developmental context to describe intellectual development. It's nicer and more accurate to keep the linguistic focus on the individual, not the disability.

Call my brother developmentally disabled, autistic, or impaired. Call him a "retard" and all bets are off.

Andrew · 03-24-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

If we can't say "retard," do we also lose "idiot" and "moron" and other terms that have at their root a specific definition of cognitive limitations?

I like "dumbass" for that.

Ghoulish Delight · 03-24-2009, 01:45 PM

Alright, I can get behind that.

eta - 3894's post, not Andrew's.

actually, Andrew's too.

Moonliner · 03-24-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

No; we need those words to describe Moonliner

Unfortunately, this is what happens when we use the appropriate words to describe you....

Kevy is a ***** rat ***** ***** ****** son of a ****** *******.

03-24-2009, 10:24 AM	#1
3894 Next Stop: Funkytown! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cheeselandia Posts: 1,907	Help Us End the R-Word Special Olympics is designating next Tuesday, March 31 the day to “Spread the Word to End the Word.” Help end the use of the slur “retard”. For more information and to join the campaign, visit their website. They've got info, blog buttons, and everything else you can imagine. Thanks in advance for considering helping. __________________ "I didn't want to have to do this, but you leave me no choice. Here comes the smolder." - Flynn Rider, "Tangled"
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03-24-2009, 11:02 AM	#2
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Saying retard is so gay!
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03-24-2009, 12:07 PM	#3
cirquelover Cruising around in my automobile... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,617	I saw that guy on Bonnie Hunt. I think a lot of words that used to be common use are now politically incorrect and should be gone from our everyday vocab.
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03-24-2009, 12:18 PM	#4
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	In this case, the word itself doesn't (and shouldn't) be banned from our language; just the usage in this case. I was just at a Special Olympics planning session for the upcoming Games in Orange County (as usual, I am volunteering) and there was no mention of this. I will have to ask my contact about it. __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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03-24-2009, 12:27 PM	#5
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	Okay, I'll play devil's advocate. While I don't condone making fun of disabled people, I feel that the word is often an apt criticism of the presumptively abled--even though I think it more than say it. If we can't say "retard," may one/must one then say, "He repeatedly engages in conduct, the foolishness of which should be obvious to anyone of even borderline normal intelligence"? If we can say that, aren't we saying the same thing as "God, what a retard." If we can't say "retard," do we also lose "idiot" and "moron" and other terms that have at their root a specific definition of cognitive limitations? __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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03-24-2009, 01:45 PM	#9
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Alright, I can get behind that. eta - 3894's post, not Andrew's. actually, Andrew's too. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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