The first Wednesday in March is the annual day to raise awareness about the use of the word retarded, the dehumanizing and derogatory effect it has on people that have an intellectual or developmental disability, and invite everyone to change their attitude about it and eliminate its use in their vocabulary.

The goal of Spread the Word to End the Word is to work towards a society of inclusion and acceptance for everyone.  I have learned many times throughout my school years about emancipation and the African American civil rights movement, the women’s rights movement, minorities’ rights movements, and LGBT rights movements, but never about the disability rights movement.  This critical advance in human rights is often overlooked.  While the disability rights movement began in the 1960s, it is still going on today and many advances in this movement have been made in my lifetime.  Spread the Word to End the Word is one way that I have been a part of it.  I believe that the disability rights movement will continue and I am excited for the advances that will continue to be made towards an inclusive and empowering society.

A lot of times, people will bring up the fact that ‘mental retardation’ was a medical diagnosis.  I like this explanation (from r-word.org) in the shift from a clinical description to a derogatory term:  “When they were originally introduced, the terms “mental retardation” or “mentally retarded” were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, “retard” and “retarded” have been used widely in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, when “retard” and “retarded” are used as synonyms for “dumb” or “stupid” by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity.”  Language is a very fluid concept.  Words and their meanings change over time.  This is one of those terms.  Just because it was okay at one point, doesn’t mean that people with an intellectual disability are okay with its use now.  This isn’t an issue of political correctness–it is one of respect.

What should you say instead?

With so many other things you could be saying, why choose to say the r-word?

“Today the r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, “That is so retarded” or “Don’t be such a retard.” When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. But, even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful.Because of this, Special Olympics, Best Buddies and the greater disability community prefers to focus on people and their gifts and accomplishments, and to dispel negative attitudes and stereotypes.”

Click here to learn more and take the pledge!