A Word Gone Wrong And The R Word Pledge

By William Green


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.

The campaign aims to bring forth awareness in using more respectful language. Retarded is a word with a medical connotation. But then it became something far reaching than just a term used for those who are mentally challenged. It became a way for people to describe others as inadequate or dumb.

Even when it is unintentional, the term is considered derogatory since it will always be associated to children or adults who are intellectually impaired. This is the main reason why the campaign seeks to eliminate it completely, from the vocabularies of society. These individuals are no different from the rest of us.

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.

On more positive aspects that will advance the development of language, so that it would not be used in harming another person. This is so you will understand the impact of a negative connotation to children with an otherwise understandable condition. The campaign encourages the elimination of the R word so that nobody will have an excuse in using it as a derogatory word.

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.

Stop using the word to describe something you do not like. Again, it does not help anybody. It will always entail and go back to people who have a mental condition. Using it casually will still be fallout. Most people do not think of it as hate speech. But that is exactly what it had become. And that is what it feels like to their families and to them, most of all, encouraging concerned individuals in wanting to eliminate it, altogether.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment