Is the "R-word" inappropriate?
Hi everyone,
Yesterday on !! omg blog !! we posted a new PSA video featuring Glee cast members Jane Lynch and Lauren Potter that aims to raise awareness about the hurtful possibilities of the "R-Word." You can watch it here
http://www.omgblog.com/2011/05/omg_schooled_on_using_the_r-wo.php
The commenters have been pretty divided, so what are your thoughts? Is it okay to say something is "retarded"? Or is it just as bad as using racial or homophobic slurs?
For the record we used to have a category on !! omg blog !! called "retarded" and we got rid of the label last year after several moving emails.
Let us know your thoughts!
xo Frank
Tags: controversy, debate, glee
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Scott Reiners on -
I think the word "retarded" is totally offensive and should be banned.
Why? You ask... (I don't care if you didn't ask, I'm going to tell you anyway.)
Because most retards can't pronounce it. That's why. Imagine if faggot began with an S -- most of you lithhhpy homos couldnt even thhhay it. That would be thhho totally unfair! Or if we called black people anything that involved properly conjugating the verb "to be."
Therefore, out of respect for the retards, I always refer to them as weetahhdid. I believe it's the only appropriate solution.
PS Glee is thhhooooo weetahhdid.
-
Permalink Reply by Xander Halliwell on -
People with mental or physical disabilities are NOT A MINORITY. They are not seen as a separate part of society!! If they were they'd have their own TV Networks and radio Stations!! HA!! This was not about if it's the right term to call children or people with disabilities, it was about people telling me I shouldn't say the word at all because it's mean. Well FRAK YOU life is mean, and if calling some a retard makes me feel better when they do something stupid then who are you to stand in my way? So since saying retarded is offensive, why don't we change how we spell it and give it a different meaning... like mail and male. Then no one can say anything anymore because they are 2 completely different words. What's next we can't say douche bag because it’s offensive to douche bags?? We need to grow a pair and stop being such pussies…. Wait is that offensive to vaginas and cats? We need to teach our kids to let stuff go. To not give words power to hurt you so much that it takes over your life. As adults though we should stop trying to control each other. I have seen many a comedians with disabilities use the word retarded about them self of others to get a laugh. They get it, it’s what you make it. If it offends you then that’s on you. It’s like any Black/Asian/Mexican/Gay comedian using their “no no words” to get a laugh. If you DON”T laugh that’s offensive, but if you do laugh it’s offensive.
Simply put if you don’t like it don’t use it or associate yourself with people who don’t have any issues, but then you may have no friends… I have issues with food that has onions, because they could potentially KILL ME, but I am not making a PSA about not eating onions. It’s just ludicrous!! Shut up and grow up!! Sticks and stones may break your bones, but WORDS should never hurt you… remember that??
P.S. Glee SUCKS. It should go back to being a retarded show and leave everything else to people that have some actual sense.
-
Permalink Reply by Cassidy Crook on -
its thoroughly offensive. like most, i occasionally slip, but I am continually trying to quell that impulse. this shouldn't even be a discussion. its a derogatory slur. if you have a problem with the word 'nigger', you should have a problem with 'fag' and should have a problem with 'retarded' - each is actively utilized as a verbal mode of oppression.
-
Permalink Reply by James Jennings on -
You can't have a discussion about whether the "R-Word" is appropriate without discussing the evolution of the word and the intention of the word by the person using it. In the 60s and 70s, that was the word they used to describe a disabled person. That's all they knew. Do we get mad at them for speaking the way the grew up? Now, with all this politically correct-ness, we know that you refer to someone as being mentally or physically disabled. Most people using it today tend to use it as a put down or goof on their friends or family. These people understand that's its intended use is just to play around. It's only offensive if someone else hears you say it. On the one hand, I get it, if disabled people take offense and it hurts their feelings then we should try to regulate ourselves. But, telling other people that they better stop saying it is kind of asking for too much. I think it's great that they put out their PSA and I hope that it educates enough people that they want to stop. But there is such a thing a being TOO politically correct. Words will hurt you only if you let them.
!! omg poll !!
!! happy birthday !!
Badge
© 2012 Created by Frank.
