After I write this, I will head over to the YouTube video I posted in 2012, Would You Call My Child A Retard?, to delete comments like "He's a retard, no matter what you call him." I do this several times a week.
For anyone who doubts how loaded the word "retard" is, just keep an eye on those comments. The haters make it very clear that the word is a cruel take-down. Even when people use it jokingly ("I'm such a retard, I left my phone at the restaurant!") it's demeaning, because it perpetuates negative perceptions about people with intellectual disability.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Florida's approach for relying on IQ scores to determine whether prisoners with intellectual disability should be executed constituted "cruel and unusual punishment," a violation of the Eighth Amendment. As Justice Anthony Kennedy said, "Intellectual disability is a condition, not a number." As part of that that decision, Justice Kennedy also clarified the terminology: "Previous opinions of this court have employed the term 'mental retardation.' This opinion uses the term 'intellectual disability' to describe the identical phenomenon."
The paragraph goes on to mention Rosa's Law, the 2010 legislation named after Rosa Marcellinos, a girl in Maryland with Down syndrome whose parents were tired of hearing the word "retard." That law abolished the use of "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" in federal health, education and labor policies. The Social Security administration quit using the terms in March 2013. Meanwhile, the Special Olympics' "Spread the Word to End the Word" campaign has been ongoing since 2008.
When you speak out about this, as I and many other parents have, some people note that medical professionals and even school districts still use the term "mental retardation." I see it occasionally on forms I fill out at medical centers. They're all behind the times.
Other things I keep hearing:
"You parents are too sensitive."
Reality check: This is my kid, and I will do anything I can to help make society more open-minded toward him. An ask like this doesn't seem like such a big deal. I'm not hoping people will contribute money or time, just consideration—and a more accepting attitude toward people with ID.
Other things I keep hearing:
"You parents are too sensitive."
Reality check: This is my kid, and I will do anything I can to help make society more open-minded toward him. An ask like this doesn't seem like such a big deal. I'm not hoping people will contribute money or time, just consideration—and a more accepting attitude toward people with ID.
"Words only have the power you instill in them."
Reality check: A word that equates people with ID with being stupid or loser-ish is a pretty potent—and nasty—word.
"People have freedom of speech."
Reality check: A word that equates people with ID with being stupid or loser-ish is a pretty potent—and nasty—word.
"People have freedom of speech."
Reality check: Since when is it OK to use slurs?
"Asking people to change the words they use isn't going to help your kid; you should focus your energies on other efforts."
Reality check: Using more neutral terminology to describe a person with ID, when they need to be described at all, is just one more way to respect them. Not the only way, of course, just one. An easy one.
But don't just take it from me or other parents or, heck, the Special Olympics. Now, the Supreme Court is on our side.
Related posts:
ReplyDeleteYAY YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY! This is a big step. I made a post about this on my Instagram and someone commented, "Teach the child not to be offended by the word instead of trying to make the word go away." I got really frustrated, because they really don't get it.
But seeing if people use the r-word (and if they're willing to listen to my frustrated rant afterwards) is a great way to pick friends.
Also, I love Max! And this blog is totally awesome!
This is a video my 11 year old made about this topic for a school project in Australia!
ReplyDeleteSpread the word, To end the word by Lachlan Farro…: http://youtu.be/D3rNZTR_YSE
Yes! I hate this word and have since I was first called it in second grade(with the word deaf) over 8 years ago. I have a hearing loss in my right ear, am a 28 weeker and had speech, gross motor and fine motor delays. (They are basically all corrected now and have been for a while-last therapy(PT) almost six years ago) Spread the word to end the word!!
ReplyDeleteWhen the Supreme Court removes a term, it's time to stop using it.
ReplyDeleteYour intro to this post was powerful. Really shows how rampant this horrible word continues to be.
ReplyDeleteWOOHOO!!!!
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I can still remember the pain of hearing my developmentally disabled sister called this word on the playground. I doubt my sister knew what the word meant, but the way it was said and the demeanor of those that said it made it clear that they were disrespecting her. Thank you for speaking so eloquently on this topic. Max has an awesome mom!
ReplyDeleteI try to avoid using the R word because it is a term loaded with negative connotations but i still catch myself saying sometimes it's true what they say old habits die hard.
ReplyDeleteIt never really comes home until you have a family member of your own and see the struggles they and their parents go through. Changing a word does not sound like a big thing but in their world it is a huge step in the right direction. They are real, caring people who need a place to be in this world without having to bear an additional burden of being labeled.
ReplyDelete