Yesterday was an important day. But I missed it. I hadn’t heard about it until this morning. Had you heard about it? I want to extend the day into today….and the next and the next and the next.
Why? Because yesterday was marked as the Spread the Word to End The Word Day – part of an ongoing campaign by the Special Olympics and other groups to end the use of one word. The word? Retard. What is the cause about??
Spread the Word to End the Word is an on-going effort to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word. The campaign is intended to get schools, communities and organizations to rally and pledge their support.
I have ALWAYS loathed this word. My colleagues will tell you that I’ve interrupted meetings to tell people how inappropriate it is if it’s tossed out casually. If I hear it used in a conversation, I’ll just stop and say ‘really’? I don’t give a crap if people think I’m thin-skinned (ha) or need to lighten up. There is no place for that word. It’s black and white. There just isn’t.
Ellen Seidman, a fellow mom-blogger made this AWESOME video and posted it on her blog yesterday about her son, Max, who suffered a stroke at birth. She says it so beautifully.
I know as Will is getting older – I’m constantly in a ‘we don’t use that word’ state. I swear a lot. I’ll admit, the other day, I took the Lord’s name in vain – and dropped a ‘JC’ very loudly after hitting my head on the car door. Will found it hilarious and repeated it all freaking day. I asked him to stop – he did eventually. I didn’t ride him about it though. Retarded? If he picks that up from a friend, I’ll ride him about – it is just simply not acceptable.
Obviously this is just a word and it’s the negative sterotypes behind the word that need to change BUT we need to start somewhere. And why not with just stopping to use this one term. How hard can that be??
Are you in???
I hate the word also. I’ve never heard of this. Too bad. We’ll have to share the video around on social media.
I’m SO IN!!
I too am constantly stopping people from using this word. It is a horrible word.
I grew up with many people who had mental challenges, some with Downs, others who had brain damage for a variety of reasons. My parents were in the Lions/Lioness Club so we worked with the kids at our local group home. They were always a part of my life and still are.
When I was in grade 10, my high school integrated a class of mentally disabled students. I worked with them thoughout my high school life. I also was a “big sister” to a grade 1 girl who had many challenges….These people all taught me patience and how simplicity in your life is a blessing. I think of them all often.
When I went back to my hometown a couple of summers ago, one of the boys (now a man) remembered me which touched my heart. He was enthralled with my daughter (who was a baby at the time) and kept “talking” to her.
My daughter is now in a daycare that shares space with a rehab nursery school. They have a program that allows my daughter to play with the children from the nursery school. This made me so happy because she will learn that they are children just like she is. My hope is that she too will be as fiercely protective of any of these children, just like I am.
IN! And good for you having a zero tolerance policy on that word.