July 28, 2008

• I hate the word retard.

  Every time I hear someone use that word, a small part of me gets angry. When someone spots some concept or idea they happen to dislike, and they impulsively blurt out "that's retarded," I really wish they would stop and think for a second about what they are saying. Why is it that "retarded" has become an acceptable term for something we dislike or disagree with? There's a very simple answer. If I happen to be standing next to a gay person, and I express out loud how something is "gay," there is a strong chance that they will take offense to the use of that term in such a concept, and for good reason. Regardless of my personal feelings and beliefs on homosexuality and marriage, I do not have the right to use someone's personal choice as a derogatory term. However, for the most part, mentally challenged people do not have the ability to confront you and stand up for themselves. If someone with a mental disorder that impairs their ability to understand your speech is standing next to you, they will not question your choice of words.

  Thus, the use of the word "retarded" is even more disgusting. It should be equated (or perhaps elevated above) the use of racial or sexual slurs; as detestable and low as words such as the "n word" or "faggot" may be, they are slurs for people who can stand up for their own dignity and demand their own respect. I understand that many people who describe things as "retarded" or people as "retards" are not making a deliberate attempt to demean mentally disabled individuals; these words have become casual slang in our culture today. Regardless of their intent, however, they are doing exactly that; they are using a word that has long since been considered inappropriate in reference to those with mental and physical difficulties, and using it to put down some person or idea. It is a simple case of thinking before you speak. Just as I, as a straight white male, would never refer to a black person using the "n word," refer to any woman as "bitch" or "woman," or a homosexual person as a "faggot," we should purge the word "retarded" from our vocabulary unless it is used within the term "mentally retarded." Even then, there are better and more acceptable phrases to use.

  As a person who takes a strong stance against censorship and restrictions on freedom of speech, this is somewhat of a strange post to find myself penning. Take, however, the recent comments of talk show host Michael Savage as a perfect example of what ignorance in speech can cause. Savage recently commented on his show that autism is a "fraud" and a "racket," and added that "[i]n 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out."

  This man and his unsolicited opinions are a disgusting and poignant example of how we must police ourselves on our expressions. This should not be acceptable in any forum, let alone on a syndicated talk show. I challenge you to remove the word "retarded" from your vocabulary. You won't ever catch me using it, and ask you to do the same. It is a disgusting and demeaning term that should never have found its way into our daily slang, and it must be removed.

  • 10:38 PM
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