They say meanings are in people. Not in words. A word becomes offensive once people turns it into a hurtful label. Yes, people, especially children are victims of labels. It makes them think that conformity is a golden rule and being different can cost them their childhood. Or that not looking exactly like the rest should make them feel bad about themselves.
What you say matters. Everyone has his or her own unique capability and the world be a better place if this logic will be embraced. That is also the case why saying retarded is unacceptable. For this, advocacy groups had pushed The R Word Pledge, a movement created by a combined group of youth with and without mental disabilities.
There are times that it is just a case of people not knowing better. For others, they just did not think twice. This is why movements like the pledge seeks to bring forth awareness of the negative stereotypes behind calling someone retard. There are many ways of influencing the fight for it. Do what you can to inspire others in doing the same thing.
Even when it is unintentional, the term is considered derogatory since it will always be associated to children or adults who are intellectually impaired. This is the main reason why the campaign seeks to eliminate it completely, from the vocabularies of society. These individuals are no different from the rest of us.
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.
On more positive aspects that will advance the development of language, so that it would not be used in harming another person. This is so you will understand the impact of a negative connotation to children with an otherwise understandable condition. The campaign encourages the elimination of the R word so that nobody will have an excuse in using it as a derogatory word.
This way, it will also eliminate negative attitudes towards anyone who is mentally impaired. That taking it out from vocabularies and treating it as taboo will help society realize the damage it had indicted for generations. For some, the word excludes them from the rest of the group one it is used no matter how playful a banter it may seem to be.
Recognize that the word is a form of hate speech. Understand how much it hurts when you hate. The thing is, you get this excuse sometimes. You do not realize that you are hating. But that is exactly what it feels like to them and their families. Your tendency to dismiss them is more hateful than anything could ever be.
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.
What you say matters. Everyone has his or her own unique capability and the world be a better place if this logic will be embraced. That is also the case why saying retarded is unacceptable. For this, advocacy groups had pushed The R Word Pledge, a movement created by a combined group of youth with and without mental disabilities.
There are times that it is just a case of people not knowing better. For others, they just did not think twice. This is why movements like the pledge seeks to bring forth awareness of the negative stereotypes behind calling someone retard. There are many ways of influencing the fight for it. Do what you can to inspire others in doing the same thing.
Even when it is unintentional, the term is considered derogatory since it will always be associated to children or adults who are intellectually impaired. This is the main reason why the campaign seeks to eliminate it completely, from the vocabularies of society. These individuals are no different from the rest of us.
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.
On more positive aspects that will advance the development of language, so that it would not be used in harming another person. This is so you will understand the impact of a negative connotation to children with an otherwise understandable condition. The campaign encourages the elimination of the R word so that nobody will have an excuse in using it as a derogatory word.
This way, it will also eliminate negative attitudes towards anyone who is mentally impaired. That taking it out from vocabularies and treating it as taboo will help society realize the damage it had indicted for generations. For some, the word excludes them from the rest of the group one it is used no matter how playful a banter it may seem to be.
Recognize that the word is a form of hate speech. Understand how much it hurts when you hate. The thing is, you get this excuse sometimes. You do not realize that you are hating. But that is exactly what it feels like to them and their families. Your tendency to dismiss them is more hateful than anything could ever be.
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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