It isn't enough that we have to censor our words and walk on egg shells when asked to describe a person. Not that I condone the use of the "N" word or any offensive language that is deemed as derogatory to any specific group, but I do think that we've become a society of softies. If one uses the wrong lingo to describe another individual, he or she is automatically put on the hot seat. He or she must defend his or her actions, which in most cases, ends up in a full publicized apology.
To put it bluntly, I think that this advertisement is absurd. It is ridiculous to compare the word "Retard" to any of the referenced material on the poster. Every year or so, a group of people decide to cause an uproar because certain phrases or diction offends them. We have become a country where political correctness is the norm and if one doesn't participate, he or she is labeled as a racist, or a bigot among other things. What makes me laugh is that the words that they would like us to refer to them as are usually long sentences that mean the same exact thing!
This comes straight from The Special Olympics--- "The ads designed by BBDO New York, will challenge the public -- with language meant to raise eyebrows -- to think about the issue more deeply. The campaign uses slurs against Asians, homosexuals, Jews and African-Americans to make the point that language can be harmful to all groups, including people with intellectual disabilities..."
Are you effin' kidding me? The article then goes on to say...March 31 is being billed a "national day of awareness," a call to Americans to recognize and rethink their use of the word "retard," or as the organization would prefer, the "R-word."
The R-word? Good God. We used to call them special. Even though, there's not much special about them. Then, we were supposed to call them, slow. Every year it changes. Intellectually challenged? Give me a break! I want to start a campaign. People with educational challenges are taking our jobs. I don't see them affected by the recession. Nope, they are bagging my groceries at Safeway, which, by the way, takes them three hours longer, and is a complete waste of payroll. They greet me at Wal*Mart. No longer will you see the feeble, gout ridden, geriatric. You will only see a Corky impostor.
I will continue to use the R-word. It is an easy way to get from point A to point B. Slow, retarded, educationally challenged, special, and my personal favorite, gifted, all mean the same thing. March 31st isn't a day of awareness, it's the last day of March.
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6 comments:
Here's the reason your argument is 100% flawed.
Let's say a colleague of yours volunteers on the weekends to help with special olympics. Then let's say you were taking a new co-worker around the office to meet the people who work there. You come to the desk of your Special Olympics helping colleague, would you ever say "And this is, Joe, he's the head of manufacturing, and has a son who is studying at Stanford, and he works with retards on the weekends."
Not a chance (assuming my hypothetical situation were real) that you'd ever say that. You'd possibly say, "he works with mentally retarded children on the weekends at special olympics" or something like that. This supposed "long sentence which means the same thing is NOT REMOTELY the issue. It's the tone, the intent and the usage that's inconsiderate. There is a lot of difference between acknowledging that someone has a condition - calling them that condition is disrespectful. It sidesteps the fact that they are a human being, and labels them as less than human - a retard first, person second.
The current common usage of "Retard" is EXACTLY the same as using the word nigger, fag or spic. It's a derogatory term to refer, categorically, to an entire group of people. The reason that certain "groups" as you say cause uproars is not because they have nothing better to do, and want to raise your hackles. It's because people have been doing something for YEARS that causes them pain. They don't want you to walk on eggshells, they just want to be respected as human beings with feelings. Your attitude in the writing of this post indicates that other people's feelings are not important to you. This, in my opinion, makes YOU less than human.
Saying that a person is retarded, is not the same as saying the person is a retard.
Retarded is a medical description of a condition of mental development, and "a retard" is a label. It's a brand. It's derogatory.
You MADE their point for them by titling this post ""The Special Olympics New Ad Campaign is Retarded!" You actually USED the word in a derogatory way, when you are sitting here arguing that it's not .
i agree completely with todd's comment. the "R-word" is being used as a derogatory term. i don't think you should use a label that you would not be willing to say to someone's face. there are a lot of toes that get stepped on these days, i do agree with that. all the more reason to treat all of our fellow human beings with respect. it's not tip toeing around. it's seeing the humanity in every person and treating everyone with respect. is it really so hard to educate yourself on the currently acceptable terms to use?
Todd, while I respect your viewpoint, I think you are one of many who are getting carried away with labels.
I'm in my 40's. When a person was mentally challenged, they were referred to as retarded.
As a youngster, I remember asking an adult one day, "What is wrong with (insert name)?" referring to a kid who was obviously different than the rest of us.
He said, "(insert name) is retarded."
I never thought retarded was bad word. Just a descriptive word.
I remember describing to a friend of mine that a co-worker was a big fat guy. She was horrified. Why? He WAS a big fat guy. He would even tell you he is a big fat guy. What should I have said? Portly. Overly chubby? Now, if I called him a fat pig, then that could easily be considered crossing the line of good taste.
Back to retarded/retard. I don't know why the politically correct people have determined a word that was aptly used to describe someone who had mental issues for years was suddenly derogatory. If some one is retarded, they are retarded. I personally don't think the word is despicable like the N-word.
Retard actually means slow. It can be used to describe anyone. Someone who may not be good with computers could be called a technical retard (that would be me). Someone with no social skills could be called socially retarded. Somebody who is really bad at math could be called a mathematical retard. That doesn't make a person bad or evil or someone in need of sympathy. It means you are slow in that field. A person who is mentally slow, hampered, and challenged is retarded.
While you may or may not appreciate Tiffany's use of sarcasm or humor, I believe she is making a point, basically saying, "Its ok to be retarded." Don't treat them as if they aren't normal. Labeling them as "special" and "gifted" in an odd way makes them seem like they are helpless and deficient as human beings.
If someone is retarded that is ok. Do they need special education, consideration and help along the way, more so than people who are not mentally challenged? Sure. That's ok. We all need help along the way because we are all retarded in some manner, in some field and in some aspect of life.
I've been a bit long winded here but the bottom line is, use whatever word you want to use to describe a retarded person. If I use retard, understand it is the proper, most accurate way to describe someone who is slow. In whatever endeavor they are slow in.
Respectfully,
1924
Todd,
With all due respect, I just happen to disagree with you. You are right about one thing. It is all in the tone. Just because I disagree with you doesn't make me insensitive. Being labled that offends me.
I think it would be easier to just be referred to as a he or she in this world. That way, we won't hurt anybody's feelings.
I happen to have relatives that are "challenged." I have referred to them as being "retarded," and last I checked, it didn't seem to bother them.
The real question here is whom does it offend? Is retard a phrase that only other retarded people can use with each other? Kind of like the "N" word. Wassssup ma retard?
You said: "Saying that a person is retarded, is not the same as saying the person is a retard." Then, you went on to say, "You MADE their point for them by titling this post ""The Special Olympics New Ad Campaign is Retarded!" You actually USED the word in a derogatory way, when you are sitting here arguing that it's not ."
Didn't you just say that "retarded" is different than "retard?" I believe I reference the word, "retarded."
Why is it that when one simply states the obvious, the rest of society ends up in a dispute as to what is right or wrong?
People point out that I'm short and they say that I'm too skinny. That could be bothersome to some people. Would you think it's fair to refer to me as "under weight?" "Vertically challenged?" There has got to be a line drawn.
You can't please everyone. I think comparing "retard" to a racial slur is going overboard. Obviously there are people who disagree. It's called an opinion.
Tell me, Todd, have you ever used an adjective that wasn't pointing out a positive quality in someone? Have you ever uttered a phrase that may have offended another human being? We all have made some regretful remarks that may have hurt another person's feelings. Does that make you less than human, or just human?
What kind of nation do we live in?
DiscrimiNation!
Sincerely,
Todd's Gay Lover
ps: I'm glad my mom didn't name me the T-word (Todd).
Todd is a F_G
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