Anyone who knows my family knows why a little ball of hatred grows in the bottom of my gut whenever I hear someone casually use the words “retard” or “retarded”. In my eyes, nothing will brand you a clueless jerk faster than tossing off a thoughtless insult to this harmless class of your fellow human beings. I try to chalk it up to ignorance, but it’s not easy. Them’s fightin’ words.
And yet I will not support governmental censoring of the use of those words, which some have proposed. If you want to be a douche (no offense to feminine hygiene products), that’s your right. The government has no business preventing you from telling the world what a small person you are.
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Posted by Jonathan Blake (stvltvs) 's status on Monday, 21-Sep-09 23:11:12 UTC - Identi.ca on September 21st, 2009.
I get a fever when I hear the word retard used as slang. And, although I believe you have the right to use the word, it’s doesn’t mean I won’t work hard to explain to the person why they shouldn’t.
The truth is, doesn’t it just come down to showing a little respect. If people with disabilities ask us not to use the word, why not come up with another? It’s just not okay to take away someone’s dignity with a casual remark. Period.
Posted by mike on September 22nd, 2009.
Well said, mike.
Posted by Jonathan on September 22nd, 2009.