Ok Tuesday night I posted a status on Facebook that quite obviously started a HUGE uproar and subsequent discussion. Well here are some thoughts on the subject in a more suitable place for such thoughts...my blog. First off I'd like to thank 3 special people for backing me up, especially in light of the fact that in one of the first responses to said status, I was called trash (in fancy, pseudo-intellectual language, typical of idealistic college students who think they are wise but really aren't. I am an intelligent person and can decifer such language). Anyhow....the word retard.
re⋅tard
/rɪˈtɑrd, for 1–3, 5; ˈritɑrd for 4/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ri-tahrd, for 1–3, 5; ree-tahrd for 4] Show IPA
–verb (used with object)
1. to make slow; delay the development or progress of (an action, process, etc.); hinder or impede.
–verb (used without object)
2. to be delayed.
–noun
3. a slowing down, diminution, or hindrance, as in a machine.
4. Slang: Disparaging.
a. a mentally retarded person.
b. a person who is stupid, obtuse, or ineffective in some way: a hopeless social retard.
5. Automotive, Machinery. an adjustment made in the setting of the distributor of an internal-combustion engine so that the spark for ignition in each cylinder is generated later in the cycle.
There is the literal definition for you. Now, having given you that definition I now say it has become just another slang word in the English language. I, in no way, shape or form use it to describe anyone of diminished capacity. To me it is no different than calling someone an a-hole, stupid, f-face or any other demeaning name you can think of. Now calling people names is not nice admittedly but before you go freaking out all over me, make sure you have NEVER said anything negative to someone else in that fashion (I bet you can't say that honestly). Why the fixation on the word "retard"? Do you think using the word "special" is any better? As long as there are physically/mentally handicapped people in the world there are going to be new derogatory words that ignorant people use to describe them. I go back to what I said earlier...I don't use such language in reference to those who fall into that category. Words are words, apparently now waitress is a bad word...WTF, when did that happen? It's a JOB, a male in that job is a waiter. So freakin what? So do you propose that I shouldn't be called a woman anymore because that is somehow demeaning? We are becoming so freaked out to say anything anymore...God help us if we offend someone. I say we stop walking on eggshells. Instead of eliminating words or changing them all the time to appease people, we start instilling confidence in our children. I don't give a crap if someone calls me names, hmm scratch that, I don't get sad, I get angry. I'd rather have my kids have the confidence to get angry at name calling than get all depressed about it. Now I'm not saying get angry to the point of violence or retaliation. We as a society want to coddle everyone and as such have turned our kids into a bunch of whiney, spoiled, depressed candy asses that are afraid to speak their mind. I've gone on a bit of a tangent here but jeez, this whole issue is driving me nuts.
