Shriver says he’s ‘incredulous’ at Limbaugh’s use of ‘R-word’
February 5th, 2010Here’s the text of Tim Shriver’s letter inviting Rush Limbaugh to join the campaign to end the use of the words “retard” and “retarded” as epithets. The letter from the Special Olympics chairman follows a national radio broadcast in which Limbaugh repeatedly used the word “retard”, and referred to the President’s meeting with disability advocates as a “retard summit.” An excerpt:
People with intellectual disabilities – the largest group of people with disabilities in the world – have suffered generations of discrimination and humiliation. In the 21st century, they, together with their families and friends, are continuing their battle for the simplest form of justice: the justice that comes with a recognition of their full humanity. In their eyes and in the hearts of millions of others who love and care about them, language is important. So together, we have chosen to try to sensitize others to the pervasive but often ignored prejudice they suffer by asking for a change of language and a change of heart.
For you or for anyone else to mock those who strive, often against long odds, for the recognition and respect they deserve, seems gratuitously hurtful and degrading.
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February 6th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Here we are again. It is only going to get worse unless we do something. Timothy Shriver, Sarah Palin are both immersed in politics.
This is why people in the general population say this is a political issue. We need to demand that the people who are allowing to represent the disability community – do so! We are tired of your letters, an apology is not enough.
Again, Don Imus was fired. Get rid of Rush Limbaugh! Demand action! Enough!
Sadly, we can’t rely on people to have dignity and respect any more. We have to facilitate some serious consequences now or it will never end. These people are all about one upping each other. So get ready – put on your thick skin people – it is going to only get worse until we demand more from the people who say they are on our side.