Op-ed: Banish the word ‘retard’
March 27th, 2009Writing in the Chicago Tribune, Maria King Carroll calls for an end to the casual use of the word “retard” as an insult. An excerpt:
Banishing this particular word is only one step in the process of humanizing the world for people with disabilities. Many people were offended by President Barack Obama’s unfortunate remark about his bowling game being suitable for the Special Olympics. That someone who is as smart, thoughtful and compassionate as the president could make a comment like this illustrates the work we need to do. Because for many, making fun of people with intellectual disabilities is something they don’t think about; it’s still OK.
Maria King Carroll lives in West Peoria, IL, and has a brother with intellectual disabilities. Her column previews the March 31 launch of the Special Olympics ‘Spread the Word to End the Word’ campaign.
See also:
CULTURE SHLOCK: The End of the Word As We Know It? – San Jose [CA] Mercury News
From humor columnist Malcolm Fleschner:
… I support the “Spread the word to end the word” campaign and here’s why: Because I think that, as opposed to the people who know exactly what they’re doing when they use racial or ethnic slurs, many folks who casually toss around the R-word seem to have no idea how hurtful the word is. Which is probably also why someone like the President, who usually chooses his words so carefully, wouldn’t stop himself before making a crack about the Special Olympics.
He suggests we make fun of more deserving subjects: AIG executives, reality show contestants, Hummer drivers, infomercial audience members and “anyone using the expression ‘at the end of the day’ more than once in a single business meeting.”
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