An In Depth Study Of The R Word Pledge Initiative

By Evelyn Walls


There has been a concerted effort to stop the use of the word retard over the United States. This word is termed as very derogatory and its daily use in normal conversations is seen as very insensitive to the people dealing with all sorts of intellectual disabilities. It is for this very reason that the R word pledge was started in the year 2009.

The main aim of this movement is to help instill the use of respectful language which takes into consideration the welfare of victims of several cognitive and even developmental challenges. The movement aims at informing the public at large that these individuals who fall into this category can be able to achieve a productive life especially if people never regard them to be complete human beings.

The pledge is usually driven and promoted through the Spread the Word to End the Word initiative. It came to be when several youth converged and thought of an idea on this during the Special Olympics Global Activation Summit. It was around 2009 in the World Winter games that this great movement got to be initiated.

Many students all over America are active participants of this initiative whereby they make pledges to actively promote the avoidance of using the word retard during communication. They even commit themselves to informing the community at large on the benefits of them engaging in this movement. The day is usually observed nationwide on the 31st of March. Some public officials have also found themselves culprits of violating the objectives of this group. They have been forced to remedy the situation by performing public apologies or even pledging to be active supporters of this initiative.

This movement usually aims at achieving its objectives through several ways. One among the ways that its supporters are encouraged to take part in spreading the message is through social media. People are usually advised to tweet that they will actively support the agenda of this campaign through their words and even deeds. The movement also has a Youtube channel and a Facebook page whereby the agenda is usually publicized. Interested parties are also encouraged to sign up for the newsletter so as to keep up to date with relevant information and even schedules for events.

There is also the carrying of a torch of respect through which people are able to show their support. The torch is usually passed on from one person to the other in all the states in America. During this period of around 46 days is also used for fund raising activities with an aim reaching more people.

Individuals are also encouraged to share their story with regards to the situations which led to them to join this movement. This usually happens in the website run by the movement. There are encouraged to write powerful and personal stories of their motivation for ensuring that intellectually disabled individuals are addressed in the rightful manner.

The movement also aims at equipping the participants with the most suitable ways of handling a case whereby they witness the use of that derogatory statement. This is especially the case since most situations tend to be not suitable for an intervention. Several celebrities have also played a huge part in spreading the agenda of this movement by actively giving it support.




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