We interrupt the regularly scheduled "Cancer week" of Motivation March for an important message from our Month.
Today is a day that is all about "Spreading the Word to end the R-word"
https://www.facebook.com/EndtheWord
Since I found out about this day a couple of years ago I have taken part in it! Since I was young I hated the word and this misuse of it. If you are unaware of what the word is it. It's a medical word to describe people with a mental disability or as I've recently heard them called. People with a differability. I love the term Differability!
The word is... "Retarded" it's become a slur by many of my generation and the generation under us.
It's an almost every day insult to call someone that does something "stupid" a retard... and that has GOT to stop.
I had a conversation with a dear friend of mine a few years ago. He said something was retarded and I called him out on it. I desperately hate that word and I try to tell people to stop saying it, at least around me. So I told him that and he asked me to explain. And this is what I told him.
"That word has become an insult. It was meant as a medical term but has become a derogatory term no different than the words used to describe different nationalities. It's NOT a term of endearment. We don't say things like "you cute, sweet little retard you" It's used in a very insulting way, used to sting and hurt the other person. Why spread hurt, when we can spread positivity."
I stand by what I said that day.
Why am I so passionate about this?
As someone with a mental "differability" I can be classified as slightly "retarded" My mother was a special Education teacher for a majority of my young life, and my father worked with special needs adults! This crowd of people have a special place in my heart! It's time to build them up and not tear them down! Join me and sign the pledge found here: http://www.r-word.org/
One more story of how hurtful that word is. I once heard someone call a cancer patient a "retard" and then they walked away but not before this person with cancer called out and said "I'm not retarded! I'm DYING!" Perhaps that will put it in perspective of how truly hurtful that word is.
Disclaimer: I only used the word in this blog post to show the perspective. I assure you that it pained me to type it every time that I did. You will not catch me saying that word unless I'm putting it in perspective advising people to stop.
Have a great day!
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