Spread the Word to End the Word is a national campaign to stop the use of the word “retarded.” The group behind the campaign believes the use of the word “retard(ed)” in colloquial and everyday speech is hurtful and dehumanizing to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Read more about joining the movement and signing the pledge here.
Coming to a school like Boston College, I didn’t expect to hear the word “retarded” as much as I do. To me, the word “retarded” falls into the same category as “rape” and “gay”; words that shouldn’t be said as an insult or a joke ever. Now people ask me why it matters? Well 1) you sound uneducated 2) it’s not funny and 3) you offend me. If you don’t care about offending me, I can guarantee you’re offending someone else as well – a friend, a passerby, someone. Sometimes words are hard to stop saying (example: the word “like”), but the first step is being aware of your own word choice.
The second step is making others aware of it. You would never say “retarded” during a debate or while talking to a professor so why say it while playing FIFA on the weekends? When I hear someone say the word “retarded,” I calmly and casually say, “That’s an offensive word.” I normally get an awkward look, quick apology, and then people get on with their game of pong. Sometimes I’ll get a slightly confrontational phrase like, “Geez, I didn’t mean it like that.” Well, you probably did. I was nervous the first time when asking a friend to stop using the word because I didn’t want people to think I was uptight, but seriously? If you use retarded as an insult, you deserve to be called out on it.
Now why even make an effort? Sure, some people will still say it, but I can guarantee someone will stop saying it because of your words. I ask people to stop saying retarded for the autistic girl I babysat down the street. I tell people it’s offensive to say retarded because my friend’s little sister should not think that people believe having an intellectual disability and being annoying are the same thing. I won’t stop making people aware of their poor choice of vocabulary because the happiest little boy I know has Down Syndrome and telling someone they are retarded or handicapped is NOT a synonym for stupid or annoying.
So I encourage you to say something anytime you feel uncomfortable because sitting awkwardly in a corner wishing you said something to the guy calling his roommate “a retard” is not fun. You never know who you offend by saying “are you retarded” or “that’s gay” or a rape joke. Besides, you’ll sound much cooler if you use the word “imbecile” as an insult. Trust me.
Photo Sources:
http://leoclement.blogspot.com/2013/01/feel-vibe-spread-vibe-end-word.html
http://www.okddc.ok.gov/r_word.html
http://brainfoggles.com/2013/03/05/just-dont-say-it-the-r-word/
http://www.thinkinclusive.us/quit-using-the-word-retarded-in-three-easy-steps/