Writer wonders: Must we get rid of the word ‘retardation’?
November 20th, 2009Writing in the Los Angeles Times Booster Shots Blog, Melissa Healy says she was “interested” to learn about a Senate proposal to remove the words “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” from federal laws. The measure has the strong backing of The Arc of the United States. An excerpt:
” ‘Retard,’ ‘retarded’ and ‘retardation,’ once accepted medical terms, are now used only to insult and demean people,” said Peter V. Berns, chief executive of the Arc, in a statement supporting [Sen. Barbara] Mikulski’s proposal. He added, “Changing how we talk about people with disabilities is a critical step in promoting and protecting their basic civil rights.”
… So, is it political correctness run amok, or is it a group’s right of self-determination to stipulate (by law, no less) how they should be referred to? There are plenty of precedents to point to. But some will resist being dictated to when it comes to language.
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November 21st, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Individuals with developmental disabilities deserve the respect and opportunities we know help them achieve their full potential.
Eliminating degrading language from federal statutes and policy papers is a step in the right direction. Our families pay taxes, vote, and contribute a great deal to the diversity of our communities. Our intent is not to subsidize the use and promotion of insulting and outdated language.
Removing these terms from federal statutes and policy papers does in no way infringe on any individual’s freedom to insult, demean or otherwise harass individuals with cognitive impairments. Health bloggers, reporters and bullies at school will remain free to use as ugly language as they want when their imaginations or thesaurus fail them.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:56 am
The government is not saying that YOU can’t use a word that millions of people find degrading and hurtful. They are saying that THEY will not use it. YOUR right to insult and malign remains entirely intact.
Choosing to use this word, or the other words that minorities decry, did not just become a noble act — the resistance of tyranny — it’s still petty, small, and ugly. But you go ahead.