Enough Already

Recently, a fellow blogger mom of a kid with special needs posted about the word 'retard' and peoples reaction to it. It's really insightful and you should all read it here. Most people commented something positive, some didn't realize how hurtful the word is, and others vehemently defended their use of the word.

Let's get one thing straight- I, as a mother of a child who may or may not eventually receive this diagnosis, cannot STAND the way the word is used nowadays. 

The term mentally retarded is a medical diagnosis and has been gravitating toward being called intellectually disabled as of late. It's the process that has happened with words like, 'idiot', which at one time was a legitimate medical term for someone with below average intelligence. However, like the word retard or retarded, it's become a slang word to describe something dumb, stupid, or ugly. People use it to describe something they don't like whether it be a policy, a person they don't like, or a t-shirt. It's no compliment, it's hurtful and offensive to those whom are afflicted with an actual mental disability and the people that love them. It has morphed into something far beyond anything you will find in a medical dictionary.

I think anyone would agree that it'd be in extremely poor taste to make fun of or mock a person with cancer or a burn victim, so why has it become okay to mock someone with a mental disability?

"Hey, Justine, what about free speech?  This is America after all." Alright I get it, free speech is wonderful thing and a huge part of what makes this country great. However, just because you CAN doesn't mean you should. Would I like to flip the bird to the kid who cut me off on the highway going 70? Absolutely, but I won't. Would I like to lash out at the bank teller who conveniently closes her window to go on break when I've been standing in line for 40 minutes? Oh boy, do I. Just because I could, doesn't mean I should. It boils down to respecting each other and treating each other like humans. Never mind the fact that by using the word retard or retarded is mocking a group of people who, many times, cannot defend themselves.

Some say that if we slowly ban the use of certain words, there will be no words left. This notion is laughable. Have you seen a dictionary? Have you seen the hundreds of thousands of words that are in it? Beyond that, it goes back to the respect thing.

Oh, and PUH-LEASE don't get me started on the people that slur their speech or twist their hand inwards and bang on their chest while simultaneously using the word 'retard' or 'retarded.' Physical disability isn't the same as mental disability and doesn't always go hand in hand. Again, have some decency.

Look, I know I'm not going to convince everyone to stop using the word, but I hope that I can change a few peoples views. 

Rant done.

I hope nobody ever says such hurtful things to her.