Take the original R-Word “My Words Matter” Pledge by Jenna Glatzer:
“I pledge that I will not use the words “retard” or “retarded” to mean “stupid.” I understand that this is hurtful to people who have disabilities and people who love them, so I will be careful with my words. I will also try to remember to pay attention when other people use these words, and I’ll ask them to stop. “
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The “r” Word Campaign © 2007-2015, Rick & Wanda Felty – online since April 2007
I pledge to not use the r-word again.
I hereby pledge never to use the “r” word again to mean “differently abled”, slow in the mind, or anything of that connotation. Word usage does to a large extent reflect attitudes, which can translate into poor and unjust social policy. Let’s all get on board about this and spread the word. We wiill be a better, kinder and more fruitful society for it . . .
Today one of my good friends Kaitlin made a speech to our 10th grade English class on how hurtful the r word can be. It made me realize how hurtful and degrading words can be. Most of the disabled kids in my school are truly sweet, loving, caring people who just happened to be born with or developed a disability, and I really didn’t realize how much it could hurt someone when I used the r word.
From this day forward, I pledge that I will never use the r word or any degrading term like it. I will also try to help other people understand what I learned today.
I don’t know if you’ll ever read this Kaitlin, but thank you for opening my eyes.
“I pledge that I will not use the words “retard” or “retarded” to mean “stupid.” I understand that this is hurtful to people who have disabilities and people who love them, so I will be careful with my words. I will also try to remember to pay attention when other people use these words, and I’ll ask them to stop”
This is a good thing for people with disabilities.