End the "R-Word"

[HardcoreRobot]

lets start using r-word in place of retard

dont be such an r-word
that dude is such f'ing r-word

eventually they will create www.retard.com, trying to convince people to stop using r-word


anyways, you want PC, go with 'congitively impaired' (or cogimp as i like to say)

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: feralkid

Originally posted by: spidey07
Nope. A retard is somebody who it mentally retarded. What next? Can't use Fire Retardant? This PC crap has gotten way out of hand and if anything the movement to stop that is growing stronger.

So, you want to bring back the N-word next?

Not the same thing, Obamabowler.

 

[Oceandevi]

Waterheads it is then!

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
:roll: Great idea there guys...because this word actually has other English meanings:

(v) To slow, delay, impede, hinder
(n) machine part

Not to mention "en retard" in French means "to be late".

It's been a long time since high school French, but I thought I remembered retard was French for slow.

 

[AreaCode707]

I am generally very anti-PC but in this case I can get behind it. My reasoning: I wouldn't call a dumbass "retarded" in front of somebody who actually was mentally disabled, because I would feel bad and know that my words could be hurting the person. There are plenty of other good insults out there to use on deserving idiots so I try to avoid this particular one, that can do damage to somebody that shouldn't have to deal with it.

 

[shortylickens]

How about queefs?
Can we call them queefs?

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
How about queefs?
Can we call them queefs?

Queef is a whole different thing you retard!

 

[DealMonkey]

Those retards are so f'ing gay! :roll:

 

[Cattlegod]

How about
Handicapped-Americans

 

[Red Dawn]

They are retarded WTF? My stepson is Autistic, we don't say he's special when we talk to him we just use the proper terminology and he deals with it fine. Just like most of the Republicans on this Forum have Aspergers Syndrome, no need to sugar coat it and say they are idiots.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: Matilda
http://www.specialolympics.org
http://www.r-word.org/

Special Olympics has started an initiative to end the use of the words "retard" and "retarded" with the End the R-Word Campaign. Special Olympics argues that by putting a stop to the r-word fosters a larger message of inclusion and acceptance, for those with intellectual disabilities, who have been one of the most socially isolated minorities.

Thoughts on the campaign? On putting a stop to the use of the r-word?

AND

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
I am generally very anti-PC but in this case I can get behind it. My reasoning: I wouldn't call a dumbass "retarded" in front of somebody who actually was mentally disabled, because I would feel bad and know that my words could be hurting the person. There are plenty of other good insults out there to use on deserving idiots so I try to avoid this particular one, that can do damage to somebody that shouldn't have to deal with it.

So what are we gonna do when 'intellectual disabled' becomes an insult to otherwise normal people doing stupid stuff? We'll be right back in the same position.

The problem is not the word (retard) used to describe retarded persons, the problem is the mis-use of that term as an insult to others.

Changing the word isn't likely to change that IMO, or at least not for long. When 'intellectually disabled' becomes widely adopted to describe these persons it will, soon thereafter, get hijacked as an insult term again.

And it targets the wrong group of speakers. Ideally the ones who should change are those are those using the retard as an insult, not those using it correctly. Instead, we're making the latter group change. I suppose they are the only ones who will voluntarily do so.

I also wonder who we are 'protecting' here, the retarded people or their family and friends. I'll bet it's mostly the latter.

But I'll use whatever term they want if it makes them feel better.

Fern

 

[sandorski]

makes sense

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
How about
Handicapped-Americans

:beer:

 

[Jack Flash]

If 'retard' was only used as a classifier for the mentally retarded it wouldn't be a problem. As it is, though, it's used as an insult against someone who acts foolishly but is not mentally handicapped. While someone who is mentally retarded is, well, a retard it doesn't absolve the meanness of the term.

 

[OCGuy]

Guys, seriously. Some feelings might be hurt. Change your vernacular immediatly.

 

[Genx87]

These initiatives are pointless. Even if they managed to get people to stop using a retarded as a description of the metally handicapped. Whatever replaces it will take on the same derogatory meaning. And they they will want to remove those words.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: senseamp
"Republican?"

Sadly when I saw the title "Republican" was the first thing that popped into my head :Q

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: Genx87
These initiatives are pointless. Even if they managed to get people to stop using a retarded as a description of the metally handicapped. Whatever replaces it will take on the same derogatory meaning. And they they will want to remove those words.

No, that's not what it is about:

R-Word Campaign

Special Olympics strives to gain respect and acceptance for individuals with disabilities worldwide and is taking a stand against the r-word, retard, with the R-word Campaign. The goals of the campaign are to communicate the hurtful nature of the r-word and remove it from daily use. As part of the campaign Special Olympics is also striving to educate people about what it means to have a disability and how using the r-word supports a negative stereotype. The r-word, retard, is slang for the term mental retardation. Mental retardation was what doctors, psychologists, and other professionals used to describe people with significant intellectual impairment. Today the r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, "That is so retarded" or "Don't be such a retard". When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. But, even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful.


They mean to get people to stop using it as an everyday insult, or a euphemism for something "stupid":

They are not so much trying to eliminate it as a term for people who are diagnosed as being "Mentally Retarded", although better terms can be used there, as well.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: feralkid

Originally posted by: Genx87
These initiatives are pointless. Even if they managed to get people to stop using a retarded as a description of the metally handicapped. Whatever replaces it will take on the same derogatory meaning. And they they will want to remove those words.

No, that's not what it is about:

R-Word Campaign

Special Olympics strives to gain respect and acceptance for individuals with disabilities worldwide and is taking a stand against the r-word, retard, with the R-word Campaign. The goals of the campaign are to communicate the hurtful nature of the r-word and remove it from daily use. As part of the campaign Special Olympics is also striving to educate people about what it means to have a disability and how using the r-word supports a negative stereotype. The r-word, retard, is slang for the term mental retardation. Mental retardation was what doctors, psychologists, and other professionals used to describe people with significant intellectual impairment. Today the r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, "That is so retarded" or "Don't be such a retard". When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. But, even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful.


They mean to get people to stop using it as an everyday insult:

Not as a term for people who are diagnosed as being "Mentally Retarded".

Did you read what I wrote? I clearly said derogatory in nature. Which is what this is trying to do. To stamp out the phrase in that manner. Even if they managed to do so, something will replace it.

 

[smack Down]

Originally posted by: Fern

Originally posted by: Matilda
http://www.specialolympics.org
http://www.r-word.org/

Special Olympics has started an initiative to end the use of the words "retard" and "retarded" with the End the R-Word Campaign. Special Olympics argues that by putting a stop to the r-word fosters a larger message of inclusion and acceptance, for those with intellectual disabilities, who have been one of the most socially isolated minorities.

Thoughts on the campaign? On putting a stop to the use of the r-word?

AND

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
I am generally very anti-PC but in this case I can get behind it. My reasoning: I wouldn't call a dumbass "retarded" in front of somebody who actually was mentally disabled, because I would feel bad and know that my words could be hurting the person. There are plenty of other good insults out there to use on deserving idiots so I try to avoid this particular one, that can do damage to somebody that shouldn't have to deal with it.

So what are we gonna do when 'intellectual disabled' becomes an insult to otherwise normal people doing stupid stuff? We'll be right back in the same position.

The problem is not the word (retard) used to describe retarded persons, the problem is the mis-use of that term as an insult to others.

Changing the word isn't likely to change that IMO, or at least not for long. When 'intellectually disabled' becomes widely adopted to describe these persons it will, soon thereafter, get hijacked as an insult term again.

And it targets the wrong group of speakers. Ideally the ones who should change are those are those using the retard as an insult, not those using it correctly. Instead, we're making the latter group change. I suppose they are the only ones who will voluntarily do so.

I also wonder who we are 'protecting' here, the retarded people or their family and friends. I'll bet it's mostly the latter.

But I'll use whatever term they want if it makes them feel better.

Fern

So true, just like special is now used as an insult and black people now cry about being colored yet the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People use to advocate calling black people colored.

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: feralkid

Originally posted by: Genx87
These initiatives are pointless. Even if they managed to get people to stop using a retarded as a description of the metally handicapped. Whatever replaces it will take on the same derogatory meaning. And they they will want to remove those words.

No, that's not what it is about:

R-Word Campaign

Special Olympics strives to gain respect and acceptance for individuals with disabilities worldwide and is taking a stand against the r-word, retard, with the R-word Campaign. The goals of the campaign are to communicate the hurtful nature of the r-word and remove it from daily use. As part of the campaign Special Olympics is also striving to educate people about what it means to have a disability and how using the r-word supports a negative stereotype. The r-word, retard, is slang for the term mental retardation. Mental retardation was what doctors, psychologists, and other professionals used to describe people with significant intellectual impairment. Today the r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, "That is so retarded" or "Don't be such a retard". When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. But, even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful.


They mean to get people to stop using it as an everyday insult:

Not as a term for people who are diagnosed as being "Mentally Retarded".

Did you read what I wrote? I clearly said derogatory in nature. Which is what this is trying to do. To stamp out the phrase in that manner. Even if they managed to do so, something will replace it.

Well one thing at a time.

Stop using "retard" as an insult.

Are you saying that you're worried "developmentally challenged" is going to become a street slang insult?

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: smack Down

Originally posted by: Fern

Originally posted by: Matilda
http://www.specialolympics.org
http://www.r-word.org/

Special Olympics has started an initiative to end the use of the words "retard" and "retarded" with the End the R-Word Campaign. Special Olympics argues that by putting a stop to the r-word fosters a larger message of inclusion and acceptance, for those with intellectual disabilities, who have been one of the most socially isolated minorities.

Thoughts on the campaign? On putting a stop to the use of the r-word?

AND

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
I am generally very anti-PC but in this case I can get behind it. My reasoning: I wouldn't call a dumbass "retarded" in front of somebody who actually was mentally disabled, because I would feel bad and know that my words could be hurting the person. There are plenty of other good insults out there to use on deserving idiots so I try to avoid this particular one, that can do damage to somebody that shouldn't have to deal with it.

So what are we gonna do when 'intellectual disabled' becomes an insult to otherwise normal people doing stupid stuff? We'll be right back in the same position.

The problem is not the word (retard) used to describe retarded persons, the problem is the mis-use of that term as an insult to others.

Changing the word isn't likely to change that IMO, or at least not for long. When 'intellectually disabled' becomes widely adopted to describe these persons it will, soon thereafter, get hijacked as an insult term again.





You're not serious, are you?









And it targets the wrong group of speakers. Ideally the ones who should change are those are those using the retard as an insult, not those using it correctly. Instead, we're making the latter group change. I suppose they are the only ones who will voluntarily do so.

I also wonder who we are 'protecting' here, the retarded people or their family and friends. I'll bet it's mostly the latter.

But I'll use whatever term they want if it makes them feel better.

Fern

So true, just like special is now used as an insult and black people now cry about being colored yet the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People use to advocate calling black people colored.

Key point.

Times change.


And you are missing the point of this campaign entirely: It is to stop the use of the word "RETARD" as a casual insult to NON-mentally retarded persons.

 

[feralkid]

Sorry...

 

[n yusef]

Originally posted by: smack Down

Originally posted by: Fern

Originally posted by: Matilda
http://www.specialolympics.org
http://www.r-word.org/

Special Olympics has started an initiative to end the use of the words "retard" and "retarded" with the End the R-Word Campaign. Special Olympics argues that by putting a stop to the r-word fosters a larger message of inclusion and acceptance, for those with intellectual disabilities, who have been one of the most socially isolated minorities.

Thoughts on the campaign? On putting a stop to the use of the r-word?

AND

Originally posted by: AreaCode707
I am generally very anti-PC but in this case I can get behind it. My reasoning: I wouldn't call a dumbass "retarded" in front of somebody who actually was mentally disabled, because I would feel bad and know that my words could be hurting the person. There are plenty of other good insults out there to use on deserving idiots so I try to avoid this particular one, that can do damage to somebody that shouldn't have to deal with it.

So what are we gonna do when 'intellectual disabled' becomes an insult to otherwise normal people doing stupid stuff? We'll be right back in the same position.

The problem is not the word (retard) used to describe retarded persons, the problem is the mis-use of that term as an insult to others.

Changing the word isn't likely to change that IMO, or at least not for long. When 'intellectually disabled' becomes widely adopted to describe these persons it will, soon thereafter, get hijacked as an insult term again.

And it targets the wrong group of speakers. Ideally the ones who should change are those are those using the retard as an insult, not those using it correctly. Instead, we're making the latter group change. I suppose they are the only ones who will voluntarily do so.

I also wonder who we are 'protecting' here, the retarded people or their family and friends. I'll bet it's mostly the latter.

But I'll use whatever term they want if it makes them feel better.

Fern

So true, just like special is now used as an insult and black people now cry about being colored yet the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People use to advocate calling black people colored.

How old are you? It hasn't been acceptable to call blacks "colored" for decades.

 

[n yusef]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: feralkid

Originally posted by: Genx87
These initiatives are pointless. Even if they managed to get people to stop using a retarded as a description of the metally handicapped. Whatever replaces it will take on the same derogatory meaning. And they they will want to remove those words.

No, that's not what it is about:

R-Word Campaign

Special Olympics strives to gain respect and acceptance for individuals with disabilities worldwide and is taking a stand against the r-word, retard, with the R-word Campaign. The goals of the campaign are to communicate the hurtful nature of the r-word and remove it from daily use. As part of the campaign Special Olympics is also striving to educate people about what it means to have a disability and how using the r-word supports a negative stereotype. The r-word, retard, is slang for the term mental retardation. Mental retardation was what doctors, psychologists, and other professionals used to describe people with significant intellectual impairment. Today the r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, "That is so retarded" or "Don't be such a retard". When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. But, even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful.


They mean to get people to stop using it as an everyday insult:

Not as a term for people who are diagnosed as being "Mentally Retarded".

Did you read what I wrote? I clearly said derogatory in nature. Which is what this is trying to do. To stamp out the phrase in that manner. Even if they managed to do so, something will replace it.

I do not agree. Certain descriptors carry negative connotations. Think of n gger, beloved patriot, Chinaman, lovely human, ***, she-male. Simply replacing these negative words with neutral adjectives like black, Hispanic, Asian, Homosexual, Lesbian, trans woman drastically changes ones tone.

I see no reason why retard would be any different.

Part of tolerating or respecting someone is referring to them in the manner of their choosing. Most people with intellectual disabilities do not like being called "retard," and especially do not like the word's use when referring to able-minded people who may have done something stupid.

It's simply common courtesy to refrain from doing or saying offensive things, whether you agree that they are offensive or not.