Eliminating the "r-word"

[SamSpade]

I always thought use of the word 'retard' as a noun was itself idiotic, and was used by people who say "anyways" or "nookyaler".

On the other hand, I use the terms idiot, moron and imbecile to denote stupid persons, when all of them originally meant what people use "retard" to mean.

I guess I wouldn't use a term for a disability if they felt it was insulting. I wouldn't call a paraplegic a 'crip'.

 

[bcp]

I guess I wouldn't use a term for a disability if they felt it was insulting. I wouldn't call a paraplegic a 'crip'.

I wouldnt either when talking about people with disabilities.
I do use the word retard from time to time, but I wouldnt actually point at someone that did have a diminished mental capacity and say, look, a retard.

I can see were the constant throwing around of the word to denote a stupid person could offend someone that did have someone in their family that was retarded. (give me a better word for this)

On the other hand, I do refer to myself as Mr. Handicap Man because of a loss of usage in my foot due to a broken back a few years ago. I have the sticker for the car too, I dont usually use it to gain the best parking becuase there are people that do need it more than I do, but I still have it just incase.
(I have to admit though, I did use the whole handicap gig to get the free pass into the national parks, and I used it at Bush Gardens to score the upfront parking) I know, Im a bad bad person.

 

[Toxick]

It sounds as if everyone here subscribes to the Michael Scott* philosophy:


You don't call retarded people retards. It's bad taste. You call your friends retards when they are acting retarded.











*The Office

 

[bcp]

It sounds as if everyone here subscribes to the Michael Scott* philosophy:


You don't call retarded people retards. It's bad taste. You call your friends retards when they are acting retarded.


*The Office

I think that pretty much sums up the whole issue in one easy to understand quote.

 

[vraiblonde]

Well, the r-word has a meaning, which does not pertain only to a certain group. It can, and often is, meant as an insult, and therefore should be taken as such.

However, anyone who would insult some handicapped person they don't even know is a jerk. And I have no problem letting them out themselves as such. Calling someone a retard isn't any more offensive than calling them an idiot or a fool.

My personal scowl is toward people who call someone "Corky". Corky, and the actor who portrayed him, had much more on the ball and was a better all-around person than anyone *I* would label as a retard. Special Olympics kids, same thing.

 

[bcp]

Well, the r-word has a meaning, which does not pertain only to a certain group. It can, and often is, meant as an insult, and therefore should be taken as such.

However, anyone who would insult some handicapped person they don't even know is a jerk. And I have no problem letting them out themselves as such. Calling someone a retard isn't any more offensive than calling them an idiot or a fool.

My personal scowl is toward people who call someone "Corky". Corky, and the actor who portrayed him, had much more on the ball and was a better all-around person than anyone *I* would label as a retard. Special Olympics kids, same thing.

just curious because I have been know to call Skillet Girl "Corky" when she does something so foolish as to cause one to wonder.

Is calling them Corky worse, better or equal to calling them a retard as long as they are not actually retarded.

 

[vraiblonde]

Is calling them Corky worse, better or equal to calling them a retard as long as they are not actually retarded.

If she's being stupid, calling her Corky would be a compliment, since he wasn't particularly stupid. In fact, less stupid than most people I come into contact with.

 

[bcp]

If she's being stupid, calling her Corky would be a compliment, since he wasn't particularly stupid. In fact, less stupid than most people I come into contact with.

then I must change this to reflect her obvious mental block at the time of her offense.
I would in no way wish to compliment her during moments of stupidity.

I do however refrain from calling her retarded, or corky in public, you just never know who is on the other side of that Isle in the store.