The “R” Word

When most other derogatory terms for people’s ethnicity, religion and sexuality have been banished from appropriate conversational English, the word “retarded” is still regularly heard as a synonym for “stupid” or “messed up”. While it is rarely (openly) used to refer directly to people with mental challenges or developmental delays, its continued common use to denigrate things or situations still hurts the people who feel labelled by it.

The “Spread The Word To End The Word” campaign demonstrates the harm and hurt caused by the word “retard” by comparing it to other hurtful labels that are no longer acceptable. Some might make you cringe:

(The woman on the right is the great comic actress Jane Lynch, best known for her portrayal of a evil cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on Glee.)

The campaign asks you to pledge never to use the “R-Word” again. Can you?

You can also follow the cause on Facebook and Twitter.

Comments

A very timely campaign – for me this word is the last acceptable piece of hate speech in the language. And while I really like the parallels this draws, the “just don’t do it” message seems a bit flat and even patronising. And most importantly, less likely to actually make people play ball.