The R-word is not funny

 Warrick Publishing: Editorial

Why is intellectual disability funny?
DreamWorks’ new comedy “Tropic Thunder,” which recently opened in theaters, includes a character called “Simple Jack” played by actor Ben Stiller. Simple Jack has an intellectual disability (formerly commonly referred to as “mental retardation”) and is an object of derision in the film. The movie contains frequent use of the word “retard” (in fact, it is said 16 times in one scene in the film) and other insulting terms to describe this character.
The movie brings to light an issue that deserves attention. The “R-word” or “retard” has found a place in common language and seems to be generally accepted. The word hurts, even if it is not directed at a person with intellectual disabilities. It is time to take a stand against a word that has gained popularity in culture, but is offensive to so many.

It is time for a simple change — stop using the “R-word.”
Mocking people that we know have historically been oppressed (such as African Americans) or have some type of physical disability (such as persons with paraplegia) is, thankfully, generally not considered funny these days. Yet, some people are less enlightened in their attitudes about people with intellectual disabilities. While the “N-word” is firmly prohibited, the “R-word” is still widely accepted in our homes, schoolyards and movie theaters.
Why is that? Perhaps people are unaware of the fundamental disregard for the rights and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities in most parts of the world. Perhaps people are unaware that intellectual disability is a condition usually developed in utero and not one for which people volunteer. Perhaps people have not read about children with Down Syndrome in underdeveloped countries tied to their beds for years in filthy institutions; or about the estimated 80 percent of girls and women in this country with intellectual disabilities who are sexually abused. Perhaps people are not aware that more than six million individuals with intellectual disabilities in the United States have suffered severe consequences including: institutionalization, physical, sexual and emotional abuse; denial of education, employment and healthcare; and segregation and targeted hate crimes

Maybe if only more people knew, they would not find using the R-word funny

The R-word is not funny
I totally agree with this article people with intellectual disabilities shouldn't be the focus of a comedy it's hurtful and disrespectful to a group of people who already have a heavy burden as the above article points out. I have a family member with an intellectual disability so I can identify with this opinion I think we should all stop using the R-word we can all do our part to make this a more tolerant, caring and understanding world some people think words are trivial and insignificant I strongly disagree

In addition to the sites mentioned in the article you can visit the category sites and blogs promoting tolerance and please bookmark it I will be adding more sites about tolerance as I find them if you have any suggestions for sites I should add to this category please e-mail me at info@disabilityresourcelinks.com

Tolerance and caring for one another is very important.

Comments

[choobawooba]

whatever you say retard

[spiderwebby]

i think you and one hell of a lot of other people need to learn to understand the context of alot of insults.

i have a friend who has no disability at all. he just does stupid things occationally, and the insult used to point out the fact is usually 'retard!' (unless someone comes up with a more origonal insult anyway..)
we even have someone with a mental disability in the social group who uses the word readily.

if your trying to stop people being labled 'retards' then stop taking it as a personal insult. retard has come to mean someone who does somthing stupid, in the same way that barstard is rarely used to discribe somone born out of wedlock.

mind you people in the US tend to overreact to most things.
ever seen an episode of eastenders?

[mike thornton]

This is a essay I wrote about the "R" word...

Sticks and Stones

© Michael W. Thornton

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words Of course, we all know the silly little expression that we cried on the playground to stop the bully, from attacking us with words. However, is it true? Will words never hurt us? Of course not! Words can literally cut through us and make us feel like we are nobody! They slice through us like a razor thin blade held up by the great adversary of our life. I should know how painful words feel. You see, when I was a baby, I had Spinal Meningitis, and spent several months in Arkansas Childrens Hospital recovering from its effects on my young life. Therefore, you can assume correctly that I did not have a great start to my childhood. However, the problems did not go away after I started school. Some of my classmates figured out that I was different then they were, so they started calling me the dreaded R word!

Retard! Oh how that terrible that word made me feel. I knew that I was a little different but retarded. No, I was not retarded! I had a slight speech impediment (and still do, but I can live with it), and maybe I did not learn as quickly as they did, but I do not consider myself retarded. In fact, I do not consider any person who is slower than average retarded; they just think and act in a different way than normal people.

Retard! I cannot remember the first time someone used that word when talking to me, but I do remember the hurt that I felt every time I heard it. To be truthful here, it really felt like a ton of bricks no worse, more like manure being dumped on me. It was as if they were saying, Youre not worthy to even be on the same playground with us! Get away you little idiot! Gee, how small that word made me feel.

Mom, why do they pick on me? That question, I asked numerous times when I was growing up. In fact, I still question why they picked on me. Did it really matter? Did they achieve their objective of making me feel like a worthless soul? No, of course not! If anything they did achieve was to give me a sense of knowing that I was different from some kids, but that was what made me unique!

Retard! Every time I type that word here, brings out the pain that I felt back then. Oh, how this stung me deep down inside. In fact, the more I reflect on it, the angrier I get. In reality, I wish that I could go back in time and tell those little punks off! Better yet, I want to demonstrate to them how awful it really felt by calling them some names of my own. However, would that really make a difference?

For some people, Retard may not be the word that haunts them like a Pit Bull who has not had a meal in many days! Their word might be loser, moron, nobody, or worse yet it may be the saying, You make me sick! It really does not matter what bullies say to put people down, all words will hurt when they are said in a harmful way. Besides being harmful, words may also be positive in a persons life. I remember a number of people telling me that I can do anything I set my heart to do, and not to let anyone tell me that I could not do it. You are not what others tell you who you are; you are who you make yourself to be. It was my option to decide, Was I going to let the two or three morons tell me that I was not a worthy person, or was I going to let my life be determined by who I chose to become? Words truly do make a difference in a persons life.

Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words can be as beautiful as a single red rose in a vase. I always look for the good in all people and say nice things about them. Words can either lift people up or bring them down why not say something positive about everyone you encounter today. Even your worse enemy needs to hear a positive word today, so why not be nice to them the next time you meet. It just might make a big difference in their life.