The words "retard" and "retarded" are ableist slurs.

[lightningandsnow]

Picture this: A group of friends are hanging out laughing and joking when someone says something silly. One person yells, "You retard!" Everyone laughs and joins in the name-calling, but the person being laughed at does not find it funny and walks out in anger. Friends follow him out
saying, "Grow a thick skin. Don't be so sensitive. Can't you take a joke? It's just a word."

"Retard" is not just a word; it is hateful and mean speech. It is a slur used against people with intellectual disabilities. Some defend the use of the word by saying that often, the person whom the slur is directed at does not have intellectual disabilities, so it should not be seen as an insult. The word is still an insult! It is used to describe someone who is stupid or acting as such. People with intellectual disabilities are by no means stupid. It may take them longer to learn some things, but they are not stupid by any stretch of the imagination!

Words hurt. I don't care about the old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." That's just a cover-up for hurt feelings. Every human being alive has something that he or she is sensitive about; something that they will not tolerate others joking about, or making light of.

For me, and many people with disabilities, "retard" is a word that not only hurts, it sears the soul. It breaks the heart and the spirit.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2593659/whats_wrong_with_the_word_retard.html?cat=9

Words matter. This word has no place on DU, just like other slurs.

[MineralMan]

1. Agreed 100%.

[tonysam]

2. There's lots of prejudice against the disabled

The words are only a part of it.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

3. Agreed

[NoNothing]

4. Agree

Instead of saying something is "retarded" you should say it is "cognitively disabled."

[-..__...]

17. "You went full cognitively disabled, man...

Never go full cognitively disabled".



Somehow, that just ruins the scene.

[izquierdista]

22. Well, all right

But it is going to be hard to "cognitively disable" the timing on my engine.

[Richardo]

5. I agree, but the term 'ableist' is one of those constructs that make people roll their eyes...

...and shut their ears. What's wrong with just 'slurs'?

[lightningandsnow]

13. How is it different from saying something is sexist, racist or homophobic?

:shrug:

[Richardo]

18. It's awkward and unnecessary. And it REALLY plays to the liberal PC stereotype

One time, in a story about veganism on very-liberal Pacifica radio, I heard the term 'speciesist' used and it made me spit coffee I laughed so hard.

[rd_kent]

37. +10000

[EFerrari]

54. Heaven forbid some crass right wing bigot calls us "PC".

.

[Zomby Woof]

60. You vocabist!

Discriminating against pretentious terminology!




:thumbsup:

[yurbud]

I love pacifica, but people who use terms like that are self-defeating. They might as well change

their names to Alan Colmes and become Sean Hannity's whipping boy.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

6. Retard is. Retarded is not.

Derisive name-calling is not nice.

And yelling, "You are developmentally disabled" at someone isn't really any nicer than other terms if the intent is to name-call.

But the word "retarded" is an essential part of the language, as are metaphors of disability... deaf to pleas, blind to the situation, attempts to cripple Medicare.

[placton]

14. yeah, tell that to my 11 year old son

who is CI - god, what a buffoon you are

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

16. Very mature response

[rd_kent]

34. ***eye roll****

[earth mom]

62. +1 nt

[demigoddess]

25. I have a 37 year old severely to profoundly retarded daughter. I don't think the term

is especially heinous. It is more the intent. After all congenitally developmentally delayed is a mouthful. What hurts is when even doctors and teachers specializing in caring for these children scream at, insult and mistreat the children or the mother. I have often said it is not the fact that my daughter is retarded that is bad but the way we are treated. If that ever changes, I'll be surprised.

[lumberjack_jeff]

28. Used in anything other than a clinical setting is inappropriate.

"Mental retardation" is a clinical diagnosis, analogous to "negroid" and "mongoloid" as categories used by clinical anthropologists.

I doubt anyone here would argue that deriviatives of either of those terms would be acceptable.

[hfojvt]

44. I am probably one of the few who cringe at this word

'anemic'. I was anemic for much of my childhood, so I kinda cringe when I read or hear it used as a synonym for 'bad' or 'pathetic' or 'inadequate'. But I understand that no offense was intended and there's no point to making an issue out of it.

[Orsino]

52. Equating "retarded" with "stupid" or "bad" is. It's a particularly cowardly slur. n/t

[Romulox]

7. Next, it will be "Developmentally Disabled" that is considered a slur...

:shrug:

[kestrel91316]

8. Retarded = delayed. Use your dictionary. No slur has ever been intended with

its LONG use in the public sphere.

"REtard" is used, usually by pre-teens, as a slur.

[lumberjack_jeff]

26. You're suggesting that what Emmanuel meant to say was "that's fucking delayed"?

It was intended as a slur. It is received as a slur by those with disabilities. It is a slur.

[Kaleva]

76. A plan is not self aware. It has no feelings. It cannot be insulted.

[YOY]

9. Funny thing about the use of that word as a slur.

Retarded people usually are nice folks who just want to give hugs. We use that word to describe some pretty unhuggable people.

[NightWatcher]

10. definition time. Retard-to make slow; delay the development or progress of. hinder or impede.

yes, it can also be a word to denote mental handicap, but sometimes it means one who is regressive or backward

[Richardo]

20. That's the verb, not the noun. The noun is a slur.

[Obamanaut]

11. The words themselves are not, it is how they are used. A throttle can

be advanced or retarded, as can be the spark in the ignition system.

[Brickbat]

12. Every time I alert on "retard/ed" in a post and give the reason, it's deleted, and for that I thank

the mods.

[omega minimo]

73. yes they responded yesterday when a rash of reactions to Rahm's verbal violence started

[frazzled]

15. And it's a word DUers never use, is it

A quickie search will tell you it is rarely criticized when used to describe, say, Republicans, Sarah Palin, etc.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8745009
"Wow is she retarded."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8742464
"bipartisan" and "solutions" and other words that make it seem like they want to do something about HCR. They're like retarded robots."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8747929
LOL, do you even realize how absolutely retarded that sounds?

I'm not saying that it's a permissible locution ... just saying nobody ever complains about it in other contexts.

[lumberjack_jeff]

24. We're complaining about it here and now. n/t

[frazzled]

29. You've missed the point

Ferreting out hypocrisy is our stock-in-trade. Nobody cares when we use the term to refer to Sarah Palin or a Republican proposal. It's because we don't like them. So we can use it freely against them.
When Rahm Emmanuel calls a particular proposed strategy "fucking retarded" we are suddenly shocked, shocked. It's because we don't like him.

People use the ugliest language and epithets imaginable here every day in every way. Let's not pretend we're oh so high minded.

[lightningandsnow]

31. For what it's worth, I call it out when it's targeted at republicans as well...

[lumberjack_jeff]

32. I do care, and I actually alert when I see it.

I don't see them all.

I'm not going to defend those who say it, particularly not with such a lame argument as this.

[frazzled]

38. But you've never started a thread on it before

I'm sure lots of people will join the thread here, claiming that they lament it even when used in reference to Republicans, etc. But the facts don't prove that out. If you can find me a thread in which someone has said "that's not a nice thing to say" (with respect to, say, a Republican) I'll donate to the Special Olympics right away. (BTW: I do donate to the Special Olympics. Last year it was my service project for MLK Day).

[lumberjack_jeff]

41. That's a safe bet on your part

Because the result of saying "that's not a nice thing to say" is deletion of the offending post, since it's clearly against the rules.

You don't find them because they're deleted.

[frazzled]

50. LOL, nice try

But it's so not true. Posting "you're retarded" is against the rules. Saying "that's not a nice thing to say (it offends developmentally disabled people and their loved ones)" is absolutely kosher. And had anyone put a response like that in one of the threads I posted above, it would have remained intact.

Look, face it: this is about Rahm Emmanuel. I'm totally agreeing that the locution is offensive to some. Although, when I think about it, I really don't get all bent out of shape when I see people posting comments like "Are the Democrats fucking deaf?" or "Obama is totally tone deaf," even though I have a severely hearing-impaired daughter. I understand the context.

So let's agree that this sudden nobility at least has a motive above and beyond everyday altruism here. (PS: and at least Rahm Emmanuel, despite his foul mouth, has raised money for the Epilepsy Foundation founded by the Axelrods, whose daughter suffered brain damage because of epileptic seizures and has lived in a home for the developmentally disabled. Another case of actions speaking louder than words.)

[Zomby Woof]

66. People post things like that for instant liberal cred

"Look at me! Can anyone doubt my progressive credentials now, because I forcefully express a non-controversial opinion that 99.9% of other progressives agree with? I will have the unquestioning approval of my liberal peers! I am a real liberal! Watch the +1's pile up!"

They love to be the voice in the echo chamber that actually creates the echo. It gets boring posting "+1's" all day, and sometimes, you have to take a mainstream stand around here to, um, stand out!

I am waiting for a thread taking on people who fly the Confederate flag while yelling "retard!" at people. Kind of an instant liberal cred two-fer!

[Silent3]

19. I wince when I here someone casually fling around the words...

"retard" and "retarded", and I really wish they wouldn't....

But...

"Idiot", "imbecile", and "moron" all used to be technical language for mental deficiency too. Words like "barbarian" and "philistine" come to us by way of ancient ethnic stereotypes.

As much as it bothers me, as I grew up learning that these terms were objectionable when used as insults, it could well be at this point that "retard" and "retarded" are linguistically taking the same route as "idiot" and "idiotic", words we use not to describe people who are inescapably mentally deficient, but capable of better and not living up to it.

[libodem]

33. I hope

people will also alert any time any one uses the word stupid. Nobody better use profoundly or severely, either!

[Silent3]

55. Perfect. In a post like this...

...I type "here" instead of "hear" and only notice when it's too late to edit the damned post.

Makes me look like a... um, person who should know better. :)

[Maru Kitteh]

21. There are thousands of ways to insult someone without demeaning the disabled

Or using sexist, racist terms either.

K&R.

[lumberjack_jeff]

23. Agreed.

The only acceptable use of the word "retard" in my earshot is as a verb.

[Moochy]

27. $1 Rahmbuck per unrec

[Warpy]

30. Language police have no place on a political discussion board

There are words used on DU that offend me as a woman, as an old woman, as an overweight woman, as a partially disabled woman. However, I defend the right of my fellow posters to use these words.

Nothing will ruin a discussion board faster than language police. People who are constantly afraid of being attacked for using a word one of the self appointed arbiters of language has deemed inappropriate are simply going to go elsewhere to post.

I know. I have fled a couple of groups because of the language police and the constant bickering over words that froze out real discussion.

We have no divine right to go through life unoffended by other people.

"Retard" entered the teenage lexicon after my time so it's not one of the words I use, but the kids at whom it was hurled were very much like I was: shy, awkward, nerdy, and slow to develop physically and socially. Other words were hurled at me, words that appear here from time to time without comment.

I understand completely why people would be so offended by that word. However, I'd really prefer to keep the discussion board open and gutsy and risk being offended once in a while.

After all, posters who use offensive words are telling us about themselves, not about us.

[lumberjack_jeff]

36. You don't get it.

The reason that it is wrong to call an awkward kid "a retard" isn't because it's mean to the awkward kid.

No one has a divine right to break the rules of DU, and that's the bottom line.

[Warpy]

45. Perhaps you should have read the whole post

Your opinion of what I get and what I don't get might be changed.

[earth mom]

65. Would you feel the same way about the N word or gay slurs?

You can't pick and choose what is offensive when those slurs are used as weapons against a segment of society-no matter what segment it is.

[Warpy]

79. I don't like to see them

but context is everything.

Calling someone out with or without a slur is a reason to alert.

[RobinA]

80. What Warpy Said

I agree with Warpy, and yes, I'd feel the same way about "The N word" and gay slurs. My opinion about "the N word" is that all people should say it constantly, thus taking away its power. I feel the same way about all the incorrect words you can probably think of. Banning words just makes them more powerful and doesn't make any progress towards the supposed goal. Unless the goal is to give certain words so much power they cannot be uttered.

[earth mom]

81. I doubt you would feel this way if it was YOU or someone you loved being spit upon. nt

[Stinky The Clown]

35. Lecturing the masses makes your message unheard. You come off as an unsympathetic scold.

If you address your message to a person who actually uses the words that concern you in a way that offends, you are far more likely to be not only heard, but heeded.

I'm not taking issue with the substance of your post. In fact, I agree with you. But I DO take issue with the tone and method you're using to make your point.

[lumberjack_jeff]

39. Taking the message directly to Rahm?

I've been taking that message directly to other DU'ers who use the related terms (or the mods via alert) for 7 years, yet it persists.

[Stinky The Clown]

42. Does it persist with the same offenders?

[lumberjack_jeff]

43. With only one or two exceptions, no, not as far as I've noticed.

In general, once people know that it's a hurtful term, the avoid using it.

(I'll assume best motivations and presume that the knowledge that it's against the rules is a secondary reason)

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

40. Some here so no problem using the term hunchback.

[ChickMagic]

48. I don't know why

but I LOLed myself silly. :rofl:

[BlueIris]

46. That's what I say.

In fact...I thought it was banned here? Fucktard is.

[snooper2]

47. what if it's used to describe a noun?

That car is retarded looking.

[ChickMagic]

49. Have you been looking at my car

snooper2? BTW: :hi:

[snooper2]

51. only if you are rolling in one of these

:)

[ChickMagic]

56. Not that kind of retarded looking. :)

Remember me? From Dave & Sherry?

[snooper2]

82. yep..been a long time

:hi:

[Orsino]

53. See #52. n/t

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Warpy]

58. Thank you!

Welcome to DU.

[earth mom]

67. Yeah and people used to think the same thing about the N word and gay slurs.

Get a clue.

[Name removed]

72. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bucky]

59. I find the word "ableist" pretty awkward--we don't need new labels for "douche bag"

Hopefully my use of the slur "douche bag" doesn't offend any Massingailian-Americans on this board

[earth mom]

69. D-bag is another offensive slur to women. Don't be so ignorant. nt

[earth mom]

61. Rahm Emanuel is a TOTAL FUCKING ASSHOLE for using that word against liberals.

:puke:

[Name removed]

63. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[earth mom]

70. Nope and your post is totally ignorant. nt

[Name removed]

75. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

77. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

78. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[havocmom]

68. Yep. He resorted to the RW tactic of denigrating those who dissent

He is an asshole who uses neo-con tactics to attempt to silence dissent. He needs to be fired.

[earth mom]

71. I'm starting to think Rahm is worse than Rove. Yes, he needs to be fired like yesterday! nt

[Common Sense Party]

64. I rip on ANY a-hole who uses these words. My son is autistic and

severely retarded in his development. And yet he's smarter and wiser than the jerks who use this hurtful word.

[leftyladyfrommo]

74. There are other words that are just as bad.

Whoopie said it once on the View. She is just fine with a lot of swearwords - like people saying "fuck" all the time. Lots of us like "fuck." One of my very favorite words is "clusterfuck." I love that word. It is just so descriptive.

But words that describe people as "retard" or "stupid" or "idiot" or "moron" or "dummy." Those words should never be spoken. They are awful.