It is now 2017, and for some reason people are still using the "R-word". The R- word originated from the work "mental retardation". This term isn't even accurate anymore, the accurate term to talk about someone with a mental disability is "intellectually disabled." Many people use this term instead of saying something is stupid or dumb.
I hate walking the halls of my school and hearing someone say, "that homework was so retarded", or "this class is so retarded, I wish I didn't have to take it." Hearing people say that word makes me cringe. Since I work with special needs individuals, I get offended when someone says that. Whenever I tell someone that I work with special needs individuals, they say sorry and that they would never say it to someone with special needs. If you won't say it to someone with special needs, then why say it in general? Whenever I correct someone they don't see what's wrong with that word, they just think its just like any other word.
Calling someone "retarded" is just flat out mean, whether they have an disability or not. If someone who had a disability heard you use that term, they wouldn't think anything of it because they don't know how harsh that word can be. Some individuals might not even know that they have a disability. If they heard someone say it, they would just not think twice about it, but other people around them would be highly offended by it.
When someone uses that word, it's just offensive and cruel. Using the R word means you are trying to make fun of someone who is intellectually disabled. Way more people are offended by this word than just me.
If you do use this word, it's time to change the way you think and talk. Like I said, it's now 2017 and we are in the time of everyone is becoming equal. So why can't individuals with special needs be equal as well? If that was us, we wouldn't want to be called a term that was cruel and offensive. Treat them with the same respect as someone who doesn't have a disability.
The individuals I work with taught me that they are more thank just a cruel word that people call them. They are more than just a word. So if you ever come in contact with someone with special needs, don't use the R word. Try using some of these words to describe them, because I promise it will make you and them feel better!
1) Hardworking
2) Independent
3) Happy
4) Loyal
5) Funny
6) Friend
7) Caring
8) Passionate
9) Determined
10) Loving
11) Strong
12) Smart
13) Sincere
14) Companion
15) Beautiful
