Information On The R Word Pledge

By Lisa Brooks


The R-word advocacy or rather pledge, can be simply defined as a national program or campaign that was incepted and practiced in United States, and it aims at typically discouraging people from using any offensive term, or any term that may evoke the emotions of certain individuals. The movement thereby seeks to encourage people to refrain from using dehumanizing terms or sentiments, for instance retard. The R word pledge therefore focuses on ensuring all people feel appreciated and accepted in the society.

The movement mainly concentrates on advocating for the usage of language that accommodates and respects the integrity, dignity and value of intellectually impaired persons. Advocates strongly believe that people suffering from cognitive disabilities and any other developmental abnormalities are very much capable of enjoying their lives and experiences. Additionally, they maintain that that causal references to words retard and its various forms make intellectually disable individuals feel intimidated and less human.

This campaign under discussion is basically a youth-driven advocacy movement, and it is supported by two organizations namely Special Olympics and also Best Buddies International. These are the key organizations that have played a big role in the movement, since its inception. The movement was created by the youth having intellectual disabilities, as well as those without, and participated in Special Olympics Global Youths Active Summit. This was at the Special Olympic Winter Games that were held in 2009.

The movement sought to make this world a more acceptable and warm place for all members of the society, regardless of the intellectual capacities. The campaigns are held every first Wednesday of March, and the anniversary is celebrated on 31st of March every year. People from all parts of the globe are usually recommended to be very vocal and active in educating others against using dehumanizing terms and sentiments that may adversely affect certain individuals in society.

Both mentally impaired and straight ones, especially youth, came up with this movement, and hitherto it has reached out to thousands of people, and is received very fondly by the masses. Some people however are unsure of the real intentions of this movement, especially on the issue of if the movement aims at completely banning the word retard.

Many people wonder about where they can find more materials that can help them host R-word events in their areas. The materials can be downloaded from various resource pages, and other merchandise that can be used to host events in the R-word store.

There is also some controversy surrounding the alternative terms that should be used in place of retard. Many experts believe that using intellectual disability is an ideal replacement for mental retardation. This is because many believe that retardation evokes the term retard, and thus brings up very demeaning and painful memories of ridicule and also rejection.

In culmination, the campaign against using dehumanizing terms like retard is very important, as it helps people with intellectual as well as development problems feel appreciated and accepted in the society. It aims at educating and making people aware of how harmful it is to use the term retard.




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