 |
Some people use the word “retard” to describe people with intellectual disabilities.This word is rude and hurtful.There is a campaign called Spread the Word to End the Word. This campaign is trying to stop people using the word “retard”. They encourage people to speak more positively about disability. So far it has been very successful. We need to tell more people it is wrong until You can find more information about the campaign here. |
Seven years ago the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign was launched in attempt to stop the derogatory usage of the word “retard(ed)”. The campaign encourages people to challenge the way others talk, think and write about intellectual and developmental disabilities in order to treat individuals with the respect they deserve. The specific focus on the r-word argues that its meaning has transitioned from medical jargon as a technical term to an everyday insult and is all too frequently used for comedic value. Comments such as “don’t be such a retard” are sometimes directed at someone without a intellectual disability to imply that the person is “dumb” or “stupid”. The use of this unacceptable term should be considered as hate speech as it has a dehumanizing effect and reinforces painful stereotypes for people living with intellectual disabilities and their families. For this reason, we must act to eliminate its use.
The issue was highlighted in 2008 when the Special Olympics launched www.r-word.org in response to the media’s inappropriate usage of the word. This campaign started as a grassroots youth movement in 2009 but gained momentum in schools and colleges. Since then over 600,000 people have pledged to support the campaign and promised to help eliminate the demeaning terminology. Social media and celebrity spokespeople have been integral to its success.
The website argues that the pledges to support the campaign have had a significant and sustainable impact. It is now one of three words The F/X network have banned from being broadcast while MTV have also embraced the change, bleeping it out in alignment with their procedure on curse words. Legal legislation followed social movement and in 2010 President Obama signed Rosa’s Law stating that federal government and health were required to replace terms such as ‘mentally retarded’ with ‘intellectual disability’.
By visiting the website you can see testimonials on how the r-word causes offence and ways in which the campaign has helped. It explains the potentially damaging and hurtful effects of language and provides advice on how to react to hearing someone use the term.
You can also read people’s personal reasons for making their pledge of support via a live stream of people speaking positively about disability.
You can join the movement by pledging your support here and you can help further by sharing their message on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube and Spread the Word to End the Word.
