People have a tendency to use language in indicting hurt to others, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Sometimes words have a way of excluding people. It makes them feel that they are not like everyone else and that everyone else does not want to be like them.
There was a time when medical terms where specifically just clinical connotations. Exactly what it should have remained. Then society happened. A medical term was turned into some serious name calling when the ignorance of many people made them refer to children with intellectual disabilities as something out of line. Which then encouraged the rest to take part in the R Word Pledge.
The campaign aims to bring forth awareness in using more respectful language. Retarded is a word with a medical connotation. But then it became something far reaching than just a term used for those who are mentally challenged. It became a way for people to describe others as inadequate or dumb.
People fail to understand that even when it is not intended to hurt someone, it still hurts to hear it. Because no matter what you do, the fact that it is associated to those who are mentally challenged, remains unchanged. Hence, a campaign like that would help these children, and society most of all realize one thing.
That is where it differs. Because for others, it is extremely personal. They may be going through something you will never understand, especially if they have a child who is intellectually disabled. You cannot say the word and expect people would not think it is that serious. It will always be associated to those who have a mental condition.
Using it even as a means of playful banter still hurts because you cannot change the fact that it is associated to people who are intellectually disabled. Advocates believes that they should be able to enjoy their individuality. That others should not refer casually to them with words that dehumanizes.
By calling them retarded, they draw some sort of analogy that it is socially unacceptable. They too, can have positive contributions to the community. That is why advocacy groups wants people to recognize their skills, talents and contributions. So that others would not have to focus on what they cannot do, or cope up with.
At this point, advocates believes that you should learn how to include all people with disabilities. They are no different from the rest, and should be treated as such. They have as much right and access to everything as any average person would. Participate by not spreading hurt. Do yourself a favor by being morally concerned.
If it takes a call to action so society can overcome this, then so be it. It is not all about changing language. It is more about trying to improve perceptions, especially negative ones. It is one way of shifting the rest to a whole new direction of recognizing people with different abilities, not condemning them for the things they cannot do or understand. Use words that respects people. Be for people. This way, you respect yourself too.
There was a time when medical terms where specifically just clinical connotations. Exactly what it should have remained. Then society happened. A medical term was turned into some serious name calling when the ignorance of many people made them refer to children with intellectual disabilities as something out of line. Which then encouraged the rest to take part in the R Word Pledge.
The campaign aims to bring forth awareness in using more respectful language. Retarded is a word with a medical connotation. But then it became something far reaching than just a term used for those who are mentally challenged. It became a way for people to describe others as inadequate or dumb.
People fail to understand that even when it is not intended to hurt someone, it still hurts to hear it. Because no matter what you do, the fact that it is associated to those who are mentally challenged, remains unchanged. Hence, a campaign like that would help these children, and society most of all realize one thing.
That is where it differs. Because for others, it is extremely personal. They may be going through something you will never understand, especially if they have a child who is intellectually disabled. You cannot say the word and expect people would not think it is that serious. It will always be associated to those who have a mental condition.
Using it even as a means of playful banter still hurts because you cannot change the fact that it is associated to people who are intellectually disabled. Advocates believes that they should be able to enjoy their individuality. That others should not refer casually to them with words that dehumanizes.
By calling them retarded, they draw some sort of analogy that it is socially unacceptable. They too, can have positive contributions to the community. That is why advocacy groups wants people to recognize their skills, talents and contributions. So that others would not have to focus on what they cannot do, or cope up with.
At this point, advocates believes that you should learn how to include all people with disabilities. They are no different from the rest, and should be treated as such. They have as much right and access to everything as any average person would. Participate by not spreading hurt. Do yourself a favor by being morally concerned.
If it takes a call to action so society can overcome this, then so be it. It is not all about changing language. It is more about trying to improve perceptions, especially negative ones. It is one way of shifting the rest to a whole new direction of recognizing people with different abilities, not condemning them for the things they cannot do or understand. Use words that respects people. Be for people. This way, you respect yourself too.
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When you are looking for the facts about the R word pledge, go to the web pages online here today. More details can be seen at http://familymemberinc.org now.
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