I love this PSA that ran during Glee tonight.
The words retard or retarded and the phrases 'that's so retarded' or 'you're retarded' are slang that are still acceptable. And very widely used by people to describe themselves, their actions, and the actions of others. It is slang that is perceived as no big deal. I don't mean anything by it, most people say. But if you have a child that has been given that diagnosis, every time you hear retard used as slang or a put down - it is like a knife in your heart.
I am not confrontational, but I have started to say things to people. When a friend said 'he's so retarded' referring to her husband. I said, 'we don't use that slang around here' and pointed at Grace. When a friend said, 'I told my kid they better shape up or they would be riding the short bus', I said, 'Grace already rides the short bus, they can ride with her'. It may not be much, but I'm trying to do my part to spread the word and stop the use of the r word. There's even a web site you can go to and sign a pledge that you will help. Go here to sign the pledge.
Spread the word. Stop the r word. Speak up and out for those that have no voice.
3 comments:
We have three words that we don't allow in our area at school - the R word, using gay as an insult and the N word. Its interestng that once students know this and they know why we don't use them, they police themselves and each other. I can handle just about any other thing from my students but the R word. Good for all of us if we don't use this word. Ritardando is used in music when you orchestra a planned slow down with everyone working together. That's the only way R should be used.
Hi Anne,
That's a bold commercial but a necessary one. Slang words can be so damaging even if the intent was innocent. I don't like those words either and I commend you for standing up for what is right!
Good for you! We need more people to take a stand against others using the "R" word!
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