Freedom of speech is a beautiful thing. Being able to express one's opinion whenever they want is something that should not be taken for granted. Sometimes the things that people say, however, are not said to make a point, but simply to cause shame and hurt. Seldom, do people take the time to actually think about the words that are coming out of their mouth. Therefore some have chosen to take the r word pledge. They are pledging to keep the hurtful word "retard" out of their vocabulary.
It is true, that there are those that have some form of a disability, and the term mental retardation may be used to describe them. It becomes a serious issue, when it is being used as an adjective in a derogatory way to describe a situation, person, or action. It hurts when it shouldn't. Just because an individual has a disability does not mean that they are a bad person. They should not be treated as taboo, nor their condition. The reason why this pledge is special is because it encourages people to stop using the word "retarded" because it hurts.
For many years, no one really took a stand nationally to speak out against the attitudes of discrimination and prejudice shown towards those with disabilities. Now, many sites all over the internet are making their presence known and bringing attention to how these derogatory words are being communicated.
One might ask themselves, how long has it been since they heard the terminology retard or retarded being used in a discriminatory way. It could have been at work, school, or even in a public place. One could safely say, that people seldom call a person with a disability by those terms. Sometimes no harm is meant towards people with disabilities, but the "r" word does hurt.
Vocabulary grows and builds over a time period. So, it will definitely take some time to omit words that are frequently used. Those that have disabilities are aware of this, and are just concerned about people being aware of what they say. There are alternate terms that can be used such as silly, ridiculous, or crazy.
The real reason why this campaign started was in order to bring awareness to a problem that has been overlooked for decades. Hateful terminology is causing hurt, and it is time to take a stand and speak against it for some. When enough people take a stand, opinions no longer are opinions. It is now all about respect.
Advocates who strongly believe in change can help to curve the way that people speak and the way that they think. Harm being shown to people that have disabilities is not something that has to remain. People need to watch their words and show compassion.
Rosa's Law, which was established by the Obama administration in 2010, took the terms "intellectual disability" as a replacement to "mental retardation." Legislation has decided that there is no room for the use of derogatory words in federal legislation. Therefore, the change to make it disappear altogether falls on the individual.
It is true, that there are those that have some form of a disability, and the term mental retardation may be used to describe them. It becomes a serious issue, when it is being used as an adjective in a derogatory way to describe a situation, person, or action. It hurts when it shouldn't. Just because an individual has a disability does not mean that they are a bad person. They should not be treated as taboo, nor their condition. The reason why this pledge is special is because it encourages people to stop using the word "retarded" because it hurts.
For many years, no one really took a stand nationally to speak out against the attitudes of discrimination and prejudice shown towards those with disabilities. Now, many sites all over the internet are making their presence known and bringing attention to how these derogatory words are being communicated.
One might ask themselves, how long has it been since they heard the terminology retard or retarded being used in a discriminatory way. It could have been at work, school, or even in a public place. One could safely say, that people seldom call a person with a disability by those terms. Sometimes no harm is meant towards people with disabilities, but the "r" word does hurt.
Vocabulary grows and builds over a time period. So, it will definitely take some time to omit words that are frequently used. Those that have disabilities are aware of this, and are just concerned about people being aware of what they say. There are alternate terms that can be used such as silly, ridiculous, or crazy.
The real reason why this campaign started was in order to bring awareness to a problem that has been overlooked for decades. Hateful terminology is causing hurt, and it is time to take a stand and speak against it for some. When enough people take a stand, opinions no longer are opinions. It is now all about respect.
Advocates who strongly believe in change can help to curve the way that people speak and the way that they think. Harm being shown to people that have disabilities is not something that has to remain. People need to watch their words and show compassion.
Rosa's Law, which was established by the Obama administration in 2010, took the terms "intellectual disability" as a replacement to "mental retardation." Legislation has decided that there is no room for the use of derogatory words in federal legislation. Therefore, the change to make it disappear altogether falls on the individual.
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