Waking Up Society on Using the R-Word

 

It has been 13 years since the term “Retarded” was replaced by “Intellectual Disability.” Bet you didn't know that happened. It is not surprising to say the least that things are changing in modern day America. Images on well know products, such as syrups and butters, are being changed since they are deemed derogatory towards a minority group. Terminology is being changed and words are being replaced, such as football team names, since they are not politically correct. While those get the mainstream attention, a change of terminology that happened little over a decade ago still doesn't get the same level of attention. 

Rosa’s Law was inspired by this 9 year old girl named, Rosa Marcellino

Rosa's Law was implemented by the former President of the United States, Barack Obama, when he signed the bill on October 5, 2010. The law removed the terminology “mentally retarded” from federal education, health, and labor laws. It was then replaced with “intellectual disability” to give them the “Respect, value, and dignity...,” said Dr. Timothy P. Shriver, the Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics.

And, yet, despite a law being signed and effective, retarded is still a common term used in daily conversations that could be heard anywhere. 

It isn’t uncommon to walk down the hallway of schools hearing “you’re a fucking retard” or “that is so retarded.” Just like how it’s not uncommon to hear parents tell their kids “They’re just retarded” when explaining why someone might look or act differently. It’s just another dope word to say that has been implemented in daily slang. 

Now the word is seen posted on all social media platforms. In a Kantar Study finding, 70% of social media posts are negative towards people was an intellectual disability and 60% of those negative posts contain an R-Slur. Retarded is stated everywhere. As a result, it is going to be deemed as okay to say, but in reality it isn't. 

A word that was once considered appropriate as a medical term for describing those with special needs, or autism, is now inappropriate. It is a form of bullying and an extreme insult towards this minority group. It is a slur that the highest power tried to eliminate, but still is very present.

Simply the terminology retarded must go away.

A stigma has been created around this term that makes those with intellectual disabilities perceived in a way they shouldn’t. Retardation is used as a synonym for "dumb" or "stupid" when describing someone or something. This can form a stereotype that those with intellectual disabilities are stupid or considered less of a person because of their condition. The person saying retardation to describe something that they deem fit as stupid may not even know that what they are saying is considered derogatory or a slur. Abby Lefebvre, a PhD Student at Boston University, said that “Many people, when I’ve told them I am upset by the use of this word, do not even realize that they are being offensive.”

Alison Rowan "Buy a Dictionary" Awareness Campaign

This fierce impact that the term retardation is having on the intellectual disability community shows no signs of going away. Using retarded as a slang is affecting those without intellectual disabilities as well.

Crazy, right? How is a slur towards those with intellectual disabilities negatively affecting those without one?

Part of this can trace back to this word being seen all around social media platforms as seen in the Kantar Study. The unfortunate part is that people don’t know that they are being offensive. In return they most likely don’t know the stereotypes or perceptions they have about those with intellectual disabilities. This lack of knowledge can have a detrimental impact on the peer interaction between those with and without intellectual disabilities. Peer interaction is already a challenge in the lives of those with intellectual disabilities, so the lack of knowledge creates more of a struggle for this minority group. Debra Jacobs, an occupational therapist, wrote in her book titled, "Safety and Consent for Kids and Teens with Autism or Special Needs,":

"For Children along the spectrum of special needs, however, friendship is a very sensitive and often difficult issue, and children with special needs require help to develop relationships."

"At Last-- Empirical Proof That the "R-Word" Really Must Go: The Influence of Terminology on Tolerance" explored and measured the tolerance levels that undergraduate students have towards people with intellectual disabilities. 259 undergraduate students were randomly divided and received different versions of a survey, Version A included the term “mentally retarded” and Version B included the term “Intellectual Disability.” As stated under the results, "language and terminology had a significant effect on tolerance toward people with ID." Those who received Version A showed results in lower levels of tolerance. 

Interesting enough, the survey gave those two different terminologies, but the definition given for them on the survey was the same. Supporting the idea that the word holds a negative stigma and makes those without intellectual disabilities think about them, or act towards them in a hostile way. That shouldn't be the way those without intellectual disabilities react to those with the condition.  

Friendship between those with and without an intellectual disability at a Best Buddies event

Despite all of this information, some think saying this word doesn't do any harm to those with or without intellectual disabilities. They take the stance that as long as people don't say retarded to someone or about someone with intellectual disabilities, then it is okay to say. People see it as a funny or slang term that they can imbed in their daily conversations to describe something as they deem fit retarded. They don't see the harm in thinking or using a derogatory word in this way. Being blind to this can alter the ways those certain individuals perceive and treat those with intellectual disabilities. Ultimately leading to poor treatment, relationships, and understanding of those with intellectual disabilities. 

Do you ever really know who is listening to your conversations? Even if it wasn't meant for you to hear, how would you feel if you heard someone use a word you thought was rude or a slur? 

In an article written by the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma titled, "The R-Word Hurts," answers this question. "When you use the R-word you never know who is listening, it could be someone with a disability or someone who has a family member with a disability. Even if no harm is intended to people with disabilities, the R-word hurts." This reflects the position that retardation must be eliminated from our vocabulary. So not saying it to those with intellectual disabilities is not a solution or an excuse to use it in another way. If you know it may hurt someone, then don't say it at all.

If you still can't comprehend why the terminology retarded must go away then place yourself in certain scenarios. Imagine being called a slur or made fun of for something you can't change. I'm sure you have experienced or witnessed bullying where this has happened. It is not a pleasurable experience for anyone. This is exactly the same occurrence when someone with intellectual disabilities is being called retarded. So don't be the person saying retarded or bullying in this scenario. It wouldn't be a good look for you.

Intellectual disability isn't just the solution for changing the terminology, it is the new way of living and perceiving things. The R-slur shouldn't be used in any situation as it does nothing but degrade this minority group. It is time for people to wake up and take action when hearing this word being used. It is time to end this ongoing social injustice.

Next time you hear someone use retarded in a statement, tell them the correct terminology and explain what that word can do to somebody. Be the change.