Language is supposed to be beautiful. People should not use it to hurt others with labels. A word becomes offensive when people turn it into negative stereotypes. Especially when it becomes exclusive and demeaning.
There was a time when medical terms where specifically just clinical connotations. Exactly what it should have remained. Then society happened. A medical term was turned into some serious name calling when the ignorance of many people made them refer to children with intellectual disabilities as something out of line. Which then encouraged the rest to take part in the R Word Pledge.
Not only that. Now, many have resorted to using the word retarded as synonymous to stupid or dumb. People without disabilities think they earned the right to indict painful stereotypes to those without disabilities. Sometimes, not even caring if they are dealing with an innocent child.
People fail to understand that even when it is not intended to hurt someone, it still hurts to hear it. Because no matter what you do, the fact that it is associated to those who are mentally challenged, remains unchanged. Hence, a campaign like that would help these children, and society most of all realize one thing.
That is where it differs. Because for others, it is extremely personal. They may be going through something you will never understand, especially if they have a child who is intellectually disabled. You cannot say the word and expect people would not think it is that serious. It will always be associated to those who have a mental condition.
Using it even as a means of playful banter still hurts because you cannot change the fact that it is associated to people who are intellectually disabled. Advocates believes that they should be able to enjoy their individuality. That others should not refer casually to them with words that dehumanizes.
By calling them retarded, they draw some sort of analogy that it is socially unacceptable. They too, can have positive contributions to the community. That is why advocacy groups wants people to recognize their skills, talents and contributions. So that others would not have to focus on what they cannot do, or cope up with.
At this point, advocates believes that you should learn how to include all people with disabilities. They are no different from the rest, and should be treated as such. They have as much right and access to everything as any average person would. Participate by not spreading hurt. Do yourself a favor by being morally concerned.
Thinking that they deserve anything otherwise is a blatant disrespect not only to children in particular, but to humanity in general. This does not help anybody. Words matter a lot. Especially the meanings they entail. It is high time all people recognizes that everybody is entitled to being different. That individuality should not be scorned but embraced as something positive, not hateful. Language is supposed to be beautiful. Do not pain people with it.
There was a time when medical terms where specifically just clinical connotations. Exactly what it should have remained. Then society happened. A medical term was turned into some serious name calling when the ignorance of many people made them refer to children with intellectual disabilities as something out of line. Which then encouraged the rest to take part in the R Word Pledge.
Not only that. Now, many have resorted to using the word retarded as synonymous to stupid or dumb. People without disabilities think they earned the right to indict painful stereotypes to those without disabilities. Sometimes, not even caring if they are dealing with an innocent child.
People fail to understand that even when it is not intended to hurt someone, it still hurts to hear it. Because no matter what you do, the fact that it is associated to those who are mentally challenged, remains unchanged. Hence, a campaign like that would help these children, and society most of all realize one thing.
That is where it differs. Because for others, it is extremely personal. They may be going through something you will never understand, especially if they have a child who is intellectually disabled. You cannot say the word and expect people would not think it is that serious. It will always be associated to those who have a mental condition.
Using it even as a means of playful banter still hurts because you cannot change the fact that it is associated to people who are intellectually disabled. Advocates believes that they should be able to enjoy their individuality. That others should not refer casually to them with words that dehumanizes.
By calling them retarded, they draw some sort of analogy that it is socially unacceptable. They too, can have positive contributions to the community. That is why advocacy groups wants people to recognize their skills, talents and contributions. So that others would not have to focus on what they cannot do, or cope up with.
At this point, advocates believes that you should learn how to include all people with disabilities. They are no different from the rest, and should be treated as such. They have as much right and access to everything as any average person would. Participate by not spreading hurt. Do yourself a favor by being morally concerned.
Thinking that they deserve anything otherwise is a blatant disrespect not only to children in particular, but to humanity in general. This does not help anybody. Words matter a lot. Especially the meanings they entail. It is high time all people recognizes that everybody is entitled to being different. That individuality should not be scorned but embraced as something positive, not hateful. Language is supposed to be beautiful. Do not pain people with it.
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When you are looking for the facts about the R word pledge, go to the web pages online here today. More details can be seen at http://familymemberinc.org now.