I don’t think so. Here’s the well-known conservative Whoopie Goldberg shilling for Toys R Us.
Whoopie Goldberg didn’t write that copy, some idiot ad person did.
I’ve never once heard “differently-abled” used seriously by anyone within the disabled community or the profession that works with them. People with disabilities say “disabled,” or “disability.” They don’t want people to pretend they don’t have disabilities, they just don’t want to be defined by them. They mock the PC language more than anyone.
I was flipping by Olbermann last night and he kept calling it “the R word” while talking about this whole fiasco. I was laughing so hard- the R word? Seriously?
The word is retarded, not “the R word”. It’s a real word that has a real meaning. Yes, if you are using it as an insult, much like anything used as such, it is insulting. That’s the point.
If retarded means stupid, slowed, or whatever we want to accept it to mean, then yes, calling someone “retarded” implies that being stupid is bad. Why? Because it is. Being stupid is bad. Are there genuinely folks here trying to argue that being retarded is a good thing? Would you choose that for yourself, given the opportunity? Of course not- because* it’s a bad thing. *
Do I feel bad for my family members who have mental disabilities that render them different levels of “psychologically or physically differently abled”? Of course. That’s a fate no one wishes on another. Still, their development? It is retarded. My cousin’s speech? Retarded. My ex’s brother’s ability to write? Retarded. On and on. It’s an adjective that serves a legitimate purpose.
The word retarded can be aptly used to describe someone who- either through birth or choice- is relatively slow in mental or emotional or physical development. My sympathies are certainly for the folks who have no choice in their station in life-- but I’m fairly certain Rahm was talking about the otherwise intelligent people who are choosing to behave in such a way.
“The R Word”-- JFC.
Would you use this colorful little comparison if a retarded person were in the room?
I told you man, yes. We strive to improve.
Love,
-KKK
I didn’t see Olbermann’s spiel, but is it possible that he’s using “r-word” facetiously in order to make a point about the ridiculousness of it?
I would. Bring Sarah Palin into the room.
Seriously, what if I told you that I have regularly heard people with MR diagnoses use the word “retarded” to mean stupid?
As in John Boehner (R - OH)?
I like it.
In my area people use the term semi-retarded. Presently there’s a group here building a new home for disabled people, their spokesman - who has only one leg says he’s this-abled.
I’ve heard black people use the word “nigger,” too. Diogenes, I have had a lot of contact with lots of mentally retarded people. I have never heard that usage from them, but it wouldn’t matter if I did. I have, OTOH, heard people call a mentally retarded person a retard. 'Cause that’s such a handy expression and all, and after all, they are stupid.
Seriously, are you telling me that if a retarded person were in the room, you wouldn’t hesitate to use the word “retard” or “retarded” to describe something–not toward the person in question, just directed at someone or something you thought worthy of ridicule? Or was that just a Sarah Palin joke?
My interaction with such people is almost always within a professional capacity where that would be inappropriate. Outside of a professional context, it would depend on the person.
I didn’t get that vibe, but it’s entirely possible. The video is on this blog, down the page. “R Word” usage starts at about 3:45.
Who is this recipient? He was not talking about her kid. he was not talking about anybody at all. He said an idea was retarded. is that an offense to people who have ideas?
Sometimes I have ideas and I, for one, am tremendously offended.
the person whose idea it was is the recipient
I’m just a little surprised that this bit of apology theater hasn’t been gate-d yet. Retardgate has kind of a nice ring to it.
I’m offended because I have lots of retarded ideas.
it would only be too perfect if thats what the gop decided to call it in their next talking points memo
Shit; is that tonight? I thought it was tomorrow night! :smack:
{Paris Hilton}Thass hawt.{/PH}
But what about Sarah Palin?
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(Sorry, it had been a whole page and if she hadn’t been menntioned who knows which of her children that media-whore would drag out as a crutch next)