Help Us End the R-Word

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

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 ****** *******.

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.

03-24-2009, 12:27 PM	#1
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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