The “R” Word
Some people have mental retardation. While mental retardation is not a bad word, when used to describe someone or something you think is bad it becomes another thoughtless hurtful word. People with mental retardation are not bad, their condition is not bad, the prejudice and discrimination to people with mental retardation is BAD…and WRONG! Please stop using the word ‘retard’, it hurts people with disabilities.http://therword.org/
I couldn't agree with you more Angela. Our family has personally been hurt by that word more than once. Take care.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. This was a "bad" word even whn I was a kid 45 years ago.
ReplyDeleteOne of your greatest posts Angie. Some people have no idea how bad words can hurt. Hopefully this post will open the eyes and ears of those who speak too fast and think too slow or not at all!
ReplyDeleteLove you guys,
Grammie
You know, I used to teach kids who were mildly retarded. I'd be talking to someone about my work and my husband would always interrupt and say, "she means really retarded--like the doctors said so." How horrifying that he felt that needed clarifying. Are their teachers out there just calling their students retarded? Ugh.
ReplyDeleteJust to get back on my soap box for a second: IQ is simply a measure of how much you know versus how much you should know. Potential isn't measurable.
Ach! A teacher (former) messing up her their/there. I someimes i have a brain-finger disconnect.
ReplyDelete