Comments on: Writer wonders: Must we get rid of the word ‘retardation’? http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2009/11/20/language-political-correctness-25710/ Disability News | PatriciaEBauer.com Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:50:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Pamela Wilson http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2009/11/20/language-political-correctness-25710/comment-page-1/#comment-5078 Pamela Wilson Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:50:25 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=25710#comment-5078 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 Our intent is not to subsidize the use and promotion of insulting and outdated language.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. 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 Our intent is not to subsidize the use and promotion of insulting and outdated language.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.

]]> By: Terri http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2009/11/20/language-political-correctness-25710/comment-page-1/#comment-5077 Terri Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:56:39 +0000 http://www.patriciaebauer.com/?p=25710#comment-5077 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. 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.

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