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re: Is The Word "Retarded" Offensive?
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:40 am to TheSexecutioner
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:40 am to TheSexecutioner
Retarded means the opposite of accelerated. Mechanics use these terms when adjusting the timing of your engine.
Just as people learning ability can be judged to be retarded or accelerated.
If the word retard is offensive, than so is gifted when referring to a child.
I fortunately live in reality where these determinations can be made on the merit of the child/person, instead of masking it under a new name for political correctness sake.
Just as people learning ability can be judged to be retarded or accelerated.
If the word retard is offensive, than so is gifted when referring to a child.
I fortunately live in reality where these determinations can be made on the merit of the child/person, instead of masking it under a new name for political correctness sake.
1
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:40 am to TheSexecutioner
It is shorthand for telling someone that what they are saying or the way they are acting could only come from an underdeveloped mental capacity. It should only be offensive to the person upon which the word is used, imo.
However, if it is used in a mean or sarcastic way toward a person with a disability, then it is insensitive and offensive. That shouldn't be an issue though, because only a retard would do something like that.
However, if it is used in a mean or sarcastic way toward a person with a disability, then it is insensitive and offensive. That shouldn't be an issue though, because only a retard would do something like that.
This post was edited on 10/30/14 at 9:42 am
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:42 am to TheSexecutioner
Depends on how you use it.
Saying that was retarded is a description of something.
Saying someone is retarded is worse.
But still not as bad as it once was. Retarded no longer applies to mentally handicapped people because...people have made sure to use more PC terms referencing them (like mentally handicapped).
Saying that was retarded is a description of something.
Saying someone is retarded is worse.
But still not as bad as it once was. Retarded no longer applies to mentally handicapped people because...people have made sure to use more PC terms referencing them (like mentally handicapped).
This post was edited on 10/30/14 at 9:43 am
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:43 am to drunkenpunkin
Exactly. The term was the clinically correct term for decades. Those with IQs below 70 were diagnosed as Mentally Retarded. In fact books from the 1970's that addressed treating those with moderate and profound retardation with life skills training, often referred to the patient as "the retardate." The books were written by those who cared and didn't want to see these folks institutionalized for their entire lives.
The problem was that the word rolled off the tongue and was an easy , quick quip. Now it's called Intellectual Disability and if that lends itself to misuse you can bet it will be considered offensive as well. Don't be surprised if the term "disabled" falls out of favor at some time as well.
The problem was that the word rolled off the tongue and was an easy , quick quip. Now it's called Intellectual Disability and if that lends itself to misuse you can bet it will be considered offensive as well. Don't be surprised if the term "disabled" falls out of favor at some time as well.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:47 am to Jake88
They're already trying to make "differently abled" happen. And don't get me started on people first language. You want to talk retarded.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:48 am to TheSexecutioner
It depends how it is being used. Used as an insult I find it somewhat offensive. It is making light of a disability.
When used as an insult it is being used exactly as the word "gay" is used for its negative connotation. It is demeaning in some way to people who actually have a disability that they cannot control, and they had no choice over.
However, I have little problem with people who try to use it as a technically descriptive word of the disability or disabled. At this point it has become an antiquated term. Retarded became mentally retarded which became mentally challenged, etc. It is easy to lose track of the appropriate politically approved word. I'm not even sure where we're at at this point. That side of things is a little silly.
quote:
, as opposed to words like "gay" that are only used because of their negative connotation.
When used as an insult it is being used exactly as the word "gay" is used for its negative connotation. It is demeaning in some way to people who actually have a disability that they cannot control, and they had no choice over.
However, I have little problem with people who try to use it as a technically descriptive word of the disability or disabled. At this point it has become an antiquated term. Retarded became mentally retarded which became mentally challenged, etc. It is easy to lose track of the appropriate politically approved word. I'm not even sure where we're at at this point. That side of things is a little silly.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:49 am to TheSexecutioner
It's offensive to the mentally challenged. Mentally disabled? Those sound just as bad. Mentally handicapped?
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:49 am to drunkenpunkin
quote:
They're already trying to make "differently abled" happen
That and "exceptional"
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:49 am to CocomoLSU
I came here to post that Michael Scott clip.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:50 am to TheSexecutioner
quote:
Is The Word "Retarded" Offensive?
It's like anything else, if you're personally affected by it, it's offensive...if you have a family member that's special needs, yeah it bothers you. If you don't know/aren't close with anyone with that disability, then you generally don't care.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:51 am to TheSexecutioner
quote:
Is The Word "Retarded" Offensive?
No.
But people who tell you they are offended by it are offensive.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:51 am to Jake88
quote:
Don't be surprised if the term "disabled" falls out of favor at some time as well.
we can go back to labeling them imbecile, moron, or idiot.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:51 am to TheSexecutioner
Yes, it is considered to be offensive.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:53 am to CoachChappy
The problem is people think changing verbiage will change attitudes. And it doesn't. Attitudes change when people have personal experience with people who are different from them. I challenge anyone to hang out with my guy and not walk away a changed person. He has the ability to reach people through his disability. It's not all sadness and despair. I think energy would be better utilized helping to find jobs and homes within the community for disabled people rather than worrying about what people say.
This post was edited on 10/30/14 at 9:55 am
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:54 am to drunkenpunkin
quote:
I used to be on that bandwagon because of my son. And then one day I realized nobody had ever once used the word retarded to or about him and I was just being a bitch on a high horse. Besides, you ban one word that's offensive, and another crops up that means basically the same thing. I've heard kids says "Dude, are you autistic?" Basically the same meaning and it wasn't one we used when I was growing up. I can't be offended every single time someone does something I disagree with. It's tiresome.
Congratulations! You're one step closer to thinking like a man!
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:54 am to drunkenpunkin
I've already heard that as well, but eventually the "differently" will grow to become offensive as well and they will move on to something else. Since language seems to be so malleable in some senses, a hundred years from now they'll just be revered to as "normal" while the rest of us will earn the term of distinction.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:55 am to TheSexecutioner
It's the r-word
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:58 am to Jake88
Yep. And I don't know how "ending the word" will do anything to create opportunities or help find a solution to the real problems facing the disabled community (ie employment, housing, access to healthcare). Outrage is a good motivator to find solutions to real problems. This is a waste of anger.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 9:58 am to Clyde Tipton
quote:
If the word retard is offensive, than so is gifted when referring to a child.
No dude.....just no!
Posted on 10/30/14 at 10:00 am to lsu480
Sure, the word doesn't always mean "mentally retarded," but I can't ever think of a time that I know someone that's used the word not as an insult of someone else in that capacity.
I used to say it all the time, as well as "that's gay", etc, but I don't say them anymore because as I've grown, I know gay people and I know parents with children with downs and similar issues. I just can't bring myself to say those things once I get to know those people on a personal level.
I used to say it all the time, as well as "that's gay", etc, but I don't say them anymore because as I've grown, I know gay people and I know parents with children with downs and similar issues. I just can't bring myself to say those things once I get to know those people on a personal level.
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