re: Retarded

So, what exactly was your point? 

Great, you don't like the word Retard. I don't like the word "bling". Should I make a post about it?

Or were you wanting to Debate and Discuss about the word "retard". I think I'm confused.

Quoting EmmaGrace:“ I grew up using and hearing the casual or derogatory use of the word retarded my whole life. I'm completely ... [snip!] ... off...for example, if someone really is handicapped, and someone calls the person a retard. That is just intentionally cruel.”

I agree

Quoting ~Tattooedmama~:“ So, what exactly was your point?  Great, you don't like the word Retard. I don't like the word "bling". ... [snip!] ... Should I make a post about it? Or were you wanting to Debate and Discuss about the word "retard". I think I'm confused.”

I guess I was interested in other peoples thoughts on the use of the word and others like it .
Not really phrased as a debate , but a conversation topic none the less.

Quoting ~Tattooedmama~:“ So, what exactly was your point?  Great, you don't like the word Retard. I don't like the word "bling". ... [snip!] ... Should I make a post about it? Or were you wanting to Debate and Discuss about the word "retard". I think I'm confused.”

People have made numerous posts about the use of the "n" word. I don't see anything much different with this thread...what's the big deal?

Well, ok then. When I was little I used to go to work with my grandma. She was a Special Ed teacher. She(and all the other staff) referred to them as "retarded". They WERE retarded...either mentally, physically or both. Still to this day, I do not see any problem with the word. I call a bird a bird, why shouldn't I call a retarded person retarded?

People are too damn oversensitive. I can't stand all the political correctness. It gets old fast.

I hate the word retarded; when used to discribe a mentally/phsycally disabled person.

The actual meaning is to hold back..so anyone who is holding back on something is retarding it's progress.

Quoting EmmaGrace:“ People have made numerous posts about the use of the "n" word. I don't see anything much different with this thread...what's the big deal?”

I completely agree. People are just too damn sensitive. That's all there is to it.

I dont know, I posted this in the "n" word thread..but I think words are just words... like fuck is just a word..but I avoid using out of respect for people. I dont ever use this word just to be politically correct, but if other people use it..it doesnt bother me. Im just sort of..whatevers ever..on this subject

I think only 'normal' people can be retarded anyways. The people with disabilities are some of the greatest teachers of humanity and love.

I'm very sensitive to people with any sort of disabilites. I use the word retarded, to describe a dumb action of a supposed 'normal' person, just as I say, 'that's gay' for an idea I find dumb.

Someone mentioned something about opening doors. Here in MD, I'm convinced that you could be bleeding out and people would care more aobut themselves than to call 911 for you. The other day while going to Petsmart, this lady lost control of her cart. It hit the curb and a few items fell out. I stopped and helped her pick her stuff up. The woman was surprised that I helped her. I see a huge difference in mannerism from the south, where I grew up and this atrocious place.

Quoting ~Tattooedmama~:“ I completely agree. People are just too damn sensitive. That's all there is to it.”

lol...I don't think we *exactly* agreed. I didn't make myself clear...while I don't see an issue with using certain words like retarded, I don't see why someone shouldn't make a thread on it for the sake of discussion.

I agree with you completely. My little sister is mentally challenged. She was born with a tumor on the bottom right side of her brain and it is highly possible that if operated it would make her a vegetable or kill her. She had bleeding on the brain and is going to be like a 4 yr old the rest of her life. She's now 17 yrs old. Growing up that was a very dirty word in our house. I got in more trouble for saying that than curse words. I can't stand that people use it sooo much. I used to get upset and say something about it, but now I just ignore it. They know not to use it vulgarly around me though.

Quoting ~CrankyMrsPreggyPants~:“ Ok so .. I take great offence to this word . I know many of us use it in everyday talk but I find it ... [snip!] ... retard . It just really bothers me . Directed to a 'normal' person or not . I think its an un-necessary word in our language.”

For starters, I'll say that you are entitled to take offense to anything you see fit.

Now, beyond that - here's the problem. No insults that we use are technically necessary. You find the word retard to be offensive. You might not have a problem with the word bitch, however. Or the word idiot. You see where I'm going with this. Words are just that - words. They are symbols, and have no power on their own. The only power they have is that which we grant them. No word, anywhere, is offensive in and of itself. Not even the foulest, most vile words in current use are offensive and wrong in and of themselves, because they're just letters put together to make a word. It's the meaning that you endow that word with that has the capacity to be offensive.

To interpret words, we have to take context into account. Everyone has their own interpretation of words, but that does not mean that's what it means when someone else uses it. So, if someone uses the word retard, but to them retard means the same as idiot, for instance, they're essentially saying idiot, but you're hearing "a negative word for someone who is mentally handicapped", for instance. So, you take offense because that's what the word means to you, but that's not what the person actually said when they said it.

Offense is entirely a personal thing. It's never wrong to take offense. Conversely, it's never "wrong" to use any word. It might not be polite, it might be cruel, it might be mocking, it might be horrible, but it's never "wrong".

C.

I saw your post title and was like ..great another person using this word for no reason...I personally hate it and don't use it ..I tear folks a new one in the real world for using it, ...on the internet..I let them slide ..it's just easier than to get into a huge arguement over..but this is something that I feel very strongly about...I would think that adults would be able to come up w/ better insults for each other than to be using that word or words like fag as derogotory statements....I know that people are going to say that I'm too PC or that I'm too liberal or what ever ..but I don't care ...
I don't even like to use the word handicaped ..I prefer the term differently abled ..because in truth it is more fitting..and if there is anyone that has worked w/ or known a person who is differently abled they can usually agree..While a person may have deficits in some areas there are always areas that they excell in ....with the only exception being people that are comatose or in some other vegatative state.....
I personally wish that this term wasn't tossed around so much on BG ..it's one of my biggest pet peeves....but ..I know that I can't change the world ..I can only change myself and express myself in hopes of passing along a bit more understanding ....

As G said

words are just words - they are symbols - you make your own meaning out of them. the more literate or multi literate you are the more you are able to adequately understand the symbols you are seeing, hearing, touching etc.

Someone may use the term 'retard' but in the context they use it in it in does not mean the same as you percieve it to be. so you have to read all of the symbols and als othe context they use it in to understand the meaning they are potraying - not the immediate meaning you would get.

Also lets not forget that 'retarded' and 'spastic' are the PC terms given to people who have some type of imparement. The difference is people with disabilities were always thought of as 2nd class citizens and these terms went along and was associated with this meaning... when in actual fact that is not the true meaning of the word - nor is it a deogetory term... when disabilities started to come on government agenda's around the world then these words were seen even more in a bad light and as an insult as governments were even reluctant to use them.