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Is the slang use of the word "retard" or "retarded" discriminatory?
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| Yes | 63% | 975 votes | Total: 1553 votes | |
| No | 37% | 578 votes |
Yes
by Jan Wright
Created on: May 28, 2009 Last Updated: May 30, 2009
When someone uses "retard," or "retarded," the context must be examined as well as to whom they are using these words . They are usually describing something or someone who is acting abnormal or lacks knowledge or wisdom. This makes the slang quite offensive. This reason, coupled with the tone that it is used in makes the word an inappropriate adjective.
Yes, in music, the word "Retardando," means "to play slowly." Yes, the word "retard," means to slow down. A sentence where this might be acceptable is: "not only do pesticides kill the bugs, but they retard the growth of the plant." No one would object to the word as it is used here. It is objectionable when it is used to demean a person or action. In fact, most times when people use it, they are suggesting that their person, actions and/or ability is superior over someone else's. It describes someone who is making a foolish or nonsensical decision. In this way, the word carries quite a bit of judgment. This is not the intended use of the word. If you still have doubt, then examine the tone in which it is used. Most often it is in a tone meant to hurt others. The inflection suggests that you are better than the person who has been saddled with that particular label. It certainly is not something that one would strive to attain. However, slang has rendered it an offensive word. If the word would be used as it was intended, to mean "delayed or slow," then, there would be no objection to its use. However, since it has been used as a term to belittle someone's intellect and/or actions, then, yes, it is as inappropriate as other belittling slang is. It certainly judges and discriminates, just as much as the words "ho" or "wetback." Someone is not simply saying: "you are foolish," or "You have lost your common sense." You are making a connection between the person that you are talking to and all of the unwanted characteristics possessed by the mentally challenged. Of course, there are times when this word is and can be used. However, since most people don't use their words wisely and have no clue about their effect, this word holds the power of not only discriminating between those who do and who do not have intelligence, but makes those who do not fall into the former category feel like less of a person. For this reason, it should not be used to describe people and/or the actions of people. I am sure that more appropriate words can be found.
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No
by Sandra Douglas
Created on: February 08, 2008
Last time I checked, the meaning of the word "retarded" was slow to develop or delayed.The word becomes offensive when it is used to describe an individual in a way that is demeaning.
As the parent of a "mentally slow to develop" daughter, I am not offended by the word "retarded". When the word is used to describe her mental abilities, it is a perfect description. Academically, she is far behind her peers and will never catch up. Emotionally, she is unable to interact with children her age at their level. Sure, we could come up with other words that wouldn't offend people, but what is wrong with that one?
Children make a game out of asking, "Which would you rather be, blind or deaf? Would you rather be toothless or bald?" It's a hard choice because a case can be made for either side. There are accommodations for the choice. Would you rather learn Braille or sign language? Wear a wig or false teeth? What we are really asking is which defect is more easily corrected to continue on with life as we know it.
No one asks if you would rather be retarded or, what? Dead? The difference is that with training and community support, the blind and deaf can function and have what the general public deems a decent quality of life. There are not enough accommodations to help the retarded individual lead a "normal life". There is only support.
When our children call someone a "retard", we tell them not to use that word. It's not nice. We say the same thing when our children say, "What are you, blind?" when there is a blind person standing nearby. But with mental retardation, the feelings are deeper. There doesn't need to be a blind person standing within sight to remind us, "retarded" is a place we do not want to go.
When we see a retarded individual, there is an incredible sense of sorrow, and an even greater sense of "Thank God, it's not me or one of my children." When we hear the word "retarded" or "retard", the word itself evokes feelings of sadness, so we want to change the word. Make new ones that are softer, less offensive, remind us less of the feeling we get when we see such a person.
The problem with the words "retard" and "retarded" is that hateful and immature people pick up on the power of the words to cause distress, play on our sense of "I'm glad that isn't me", and use it to degrade others. They use the strong feelings the word invokes to hurt. They use the power that we gave the word, so we change the word. Maybe try to make it something so long and complex that it cannot be tossed out as an insult, like "mentally challenged" or "intellectually incapacitated.
People think they have done their duty to the mentally retarded by getting offended at the way other people use the word, but they have not done enough. It is part of our diverse culture that there will always be people looking for ways to hurt or offend. It is up to the rest of us to make sure that a mentally retarded person is treated with the love and respect that is the right every human being. Rather than change the word, it is up to us to remove the power from the word.
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