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Oh, how I hate the R-word.


Dark Qiviut

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"Retarded."

 

That word really strikes a chord, doesn't it? As someone who might have Asperger's Syndrome, this word cuts as deeply as using "autistic" as a slur.

 

If you read my blog attacking the word "autism" as a slur, then you know my feelings. Like "autism," the R-word is an insult that attacks people with autism or people with other mental deficiencies. By calling someone a "retard," you're cutting that person deep in such a way that's indescribable. By using the R-word, you're telling me, "I'm a bigot and will demean the very core of what you are." It's like calling a black person the N-word, a gay person the F-word, a woman the C-word, a transperson the T-word (or "she-male" for a transwoman), or a Jewish person the K-word.

 

The casual use of an offensive word does nothing except make people feel unwelcome and insecure. Words cut deep. "Retard" is one such case where it cuts REALLY deep, especially to someone like myself, because it attacks me as a person. And I know it affects millions of others, too. The second you use this ableist slur so freely, you're being a bigoted bully. Language shouldn't be taken for granted, and casual use of "retard" should not be tolerated.

 

The sad part about this is how often I see it on here. I won't be afraid to admit that I am someone who once reported people occasionally for using it so casually. Unfortunately, the posts often stayed up, so I don't remember the last time I did it. I don't know the current situation about it, but if usage of this word as an ableist slur (either in verb or noun form) isn't a part of the abusive behavior rule, then I feel it needs to be changed.

  • Brohoof 2

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Whenever I see someone trying to criticize another reviewer on the internet by using words like "autsitic" "retard"  "man child" or any other buzz word insult, I instantly consider it invalid criticism. Criticism is not using petty insults. And if you call them out, they will then pull the freedom of speech card or the "you can't handle criticism" card.

  • Brohoof 3
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It's really interesting. I used to be against the use of words like that, but then a good friend of mine told me that I shouldn't judge people for using those words, because they don't hold the connotation that the once held. If you call a chair "gay", you don't think that the chair enjoys sex with chairs of the same gender. You think that whoever just called it gay probably stubbed their toe on it. Despite that, I wouldn't use any words like that. I love that you're bringing this up, Qiviut :)

  • Brohoof 1
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...I have to disagree. While I do find the words "autistic" and "retard" hurtful to an extent, we shouldn't get rid of them and change them to something "politically correct" (AKA Newspeak) because there WILL be worse insults created. Just look at the whole "Spread the Word to End the Word" campaign and how that failed epically. 

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@, This has nothing to do with "political correctness." Hell, the term itself is all but dead weight now because too many people abuse it to the point where it's pointless. It's about giving people the ability the access to join and communicate while knowing they don't have to fear of being hit with such a heinous slur. And if it does happen, staff can make sure that user never attempts to do it again.

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