Struggling with Reality; Part Three "Retarded"

Words. Things in the English language that people seem to use incorrectly. The word that brings me to this conclusion is the word "retarded". People misuse this term daily and unfortunately they may not understand what they are doing and or saying. "Oh that's retarded.", "This is retarded." "You are being a retard." These phrases are phrases we hear day in an day out and unfortunately no on really thinks otherwise. There are a select few people in each group of friends that are against this word but their argument to end its usage in their group of friends is frivolous. I myself have used this term before in a way that suggests a different meaning of the word and I have taken the time to weed it out of my vocabulary - save for today. Lets look at the word "retarded" and see its true definition.

Retarded (Adj); slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development or academic progress (Websters Dictionary.)

Looking at this word I see a person that is just like anyone else, they may need a little more stimulation to get going, but they are just fine. No where in that definition do I see the word stupid. When you are using phrases like those previously mentioned, you are basically saying something is stupid or dumb. This is using the term as a derogatory and degrading word. There for when using the term that way it means you are calling anyone with a mental disability, or emotional disability stupid and dumb. Now some people hesitate to even say the word "retarded" even when talking literally about someone who may have a disability. It is not fully wrong to use the term, just so long as you are using it correctly.

I know plenty of people that hate when the term is used, and I cannot blame them. Some people have a family member who has a cognitive disability, learning disability, or anything that falls near those categories and they hate it when people use the word incorrectly. I myself have no known family member who falls under the category, at least that I know of, but I would like to go on the record and say that even if a family member did it would mean that I don't love them the same. They still are the same people, they just need some help time to time. After joining Alpha Xi Delta and doing philanthropy events for Autism Awareness, I have learned so much about how people hate the word, and they just want everyone to stop using it. There is no reason for someone to use the word "retarded" unless using it in the proper way. And when I say the proper way I don't mean by calling someone with a disability retarded because that is not okay either.

Using a technical term is better than using the word retarded. Using that word inappropriately just hurts others feelings and doesn't help anyone. Please be considerate, and if someone asks you not to use that word around them do as they ask. If you are a person that uses that word a lot take the time to think about how much you use it, and do you offend others that you say it around. You may be hurting others and not necessarily know it. So please be considerate of others and think about how you use specific words around others.

Tip of The Day: Always be aware of your surroundings you never know who is going to see you, hear you, or turn away from you because of what you do and say. Be knowledgeable.
Quote of The Day: "Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win." - Jonathan Kozol