Student social movement to ban the “R” word

By Andrea Gusty, CBS 11 News Reporter
KTVA
Article Last Updated:03/27/2008 12:22:31 AM AKDT

It’s a social movement that may surprise you:

Anchorage students are banding together to encourage people to quit using the word “retarded” in a negative light, by banning the “R” word all together.

Fifty years ago, the word retarded was the clinically accepted term for people with developmental disabilities. Over the years, it has become hurtful and derogatory. Now, some local students want it banned.

Walk the halls of East High and you’re likely to hear that’s retarded, a phrase kids have latched onto to describe something that they don’t like or something they think is stupid or odd.

“I hear it at least 30 times a day–just a ridiculous amount,” said Jose Delreal, Junior at East High.

For many, it’s just another word used in casual conversation. But for people with developmental disabilities, the “R” word is hurtful.

“It makes me kind of sad, if I hear it. I would be feeling sad. I think it needs to completely stop,” said Jonathan Tucker, Student at East High.

Several students agree. That’s why they are joining a national movement to ban it. They say the “R” word is as hateful as the “N” word and other slurs.

“We are all equal, no matter how big, small, smart or fast anyone is. What we are trying to do is show that we are all human beings,” said Alivia Feliciano, Senior at East High.

It’s being called the social movement of this generation, the latest example of student activism. Over the last few years, Anchorage’s kids have become more aware, and more involved with issues of race, violence and discrimination. Most recently, Service High students tackled the issue of race.

“Students are willing to confront those, and really challenge adults, and challenge their peers to not use those things,” said Anchorage School District Superintendent Carol Comeau.

“We’re not naive enough to think that everyone is going to listen, but we do hope it will raise some awareness,” said Delreal.

For these young people, raising awareness is the first step to changing first Anchorage, then the world.

This week, the citywide Student Advisory Board brought a resolution to the school board, in hopes that the curriculum department would develop new electives to educate all kids about the challenges and the strengths of students with disabilities.

VIDEO

Here is a wonderful example of what happens when someone stands up for what they believe in.   Even if that someone is a kid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGmuMhwNpyE 

http://www.nocussing.com/

Where is the national spokesperson defending the rights of people with disabilities?  Flip through the channels on the TV or radio,  do a search for ‘retard’ on Google: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=retard

 Look around you.  There are no national spokespeople for us.  There is only ourselves.

We have to support each other in this.  We have to raise those up around us that have children with disabilities but are afraid, or lack confidence.  We have to show them that its okay to stand up and tell someone in the grocery line next to them, “please stop saying retard.  It offends me or it offends someone I know or love.”  Somehow we have to get the people who live with this everyday to stand up and say something.  This is why we call it a grassroots effort.

 Its not about political correctness, its not about being “some people are too sensitive,” its about respect. 

Stand up and make your voice heard!  Together,  joining in one common voice, we are the national spokespeople for educating people that using the “r” word is offensive.

Big Brother Contestant, Adam,  a public relations manager who arranges events, does publicity and is the Sponsorship and Creative Director for an Autism foundation is south Florida sparked an uproar in the special needs community on Wednesday night with his use of the word “Retard”.

While describing his goals to another contestant, he said, “I want to open a hair dressing salon for kids with special needs so the retards will have a place to get their hair fixed.”  Later, he defended his use of the word by saying he “worked with special needs kids all day and could call them what he wanted.”

The Big Brother forum on CBS’s Web site has erupted with outrage over his flippant use and lack of sensitivity over this word,
http://boards.cbs.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=51&nav=messages&webtag=cbsbigbromb&tid=4

Interestingly this is in direct contrast to CBS’s policy during the November 2007 episode of the Amazing Race where use of the “R” Word was bleeped out.

Is it sweeps week?

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=4272981&page=1

RICHMOND – Erin Thompson lives with Down syndrome, but she refuses to use the “R” word. She and others want the state of Virginia to follow suit.

Legislation is moving through the General Assembly to remove the phrase “mentally retarded” from thousands of pages of state code.

The new phrase would be “persons with intellectual disabilities.”

http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-news_language_0122jan22,0,2475393.story?coll=sns-travel-headlines

In Oklahoma, SB 2017, Section 3 mandates the use of  “people first” terminology in all state laws, rules, and government documents.

     SECTION 3.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 40 of Title 25, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

A. Beginning November 1, 2006, all new and revised statutes, administrative rules, local laws, ordinances, charters, or regulations promulgated or any publication published by the state or any political subdivision that refers to persons with disabilities shall:

1. Avoid language that:

a. implies that a person as a whole is disabled, such as the “mentally ill” or the “learning disabled”, or

b. equates persons with their condition, such as “epileptics”, “autistics”, or “quadriplegics”; and

2. Replace nonrespectful language by referring to persons with disabilities as persons first; for example, persons with disabilities, persons with developmental disabilities, persons with mental illness, persons with autism, or persons with mental retardation.

B. Violation of this section shall not be grounds to invalidate any new or revised statutes, administrative rules, local laws, ordinances, charters, or regulations promulgated or any publication published by the state or any political subdivision; provided, however, such documents shall be changed to reflect the provisions of this section in subsequent revisions.

C. Nothing in this section shall constitute a requirement to change the name of any agency or program. Existing printed material may be utilized until such time as supplies are required to be replenished.

http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=446240

Outrage over a radio talk show host’s use of the “R” Word to insult state legislators leads a local group to stand up and take action in demanding an apology.

“We’re part of a civil-rights movement on behalf of people with disabilities,” says Tom Kane, president and CEO of CranstonARC. “And that word is no different than the ‘n’ word.”

http://www.projo.com/news/bobkerr/sunco06_01-06-08_238GB45_v17.174e76b.html

I would bet every day someone around you makes a slur against people with disability.

For instance how often do you hear, “What a retard,” or “that’s retarded.”

I’ve had many conversations with people regarding their use of the R‐word. Their response is universally the same: “Oh, it’s nothing. I don’t mean any harm, I’m just kidding around.”

According to Webster “retarded” means, “slow, or limited in mental, physical or emotional development.” Using that word in any way to belittle someone is extremely offensive to people with disabilities. People with disabilities are complete human beings and when we use the R‐word to mock, we devalue many people.

Nowadays we gasp if we hear someone use the N‐word. We have evolved in our humanity to understand that the Nword is discriminatory, offensive and racist. It has rightly become social taboo.

Unfortunately the R-word is now used as casually as the N‐word once was.

As offensive as it is, the R‐word is common slang. We hear it used by kids on playgrounds, teens at school, and adults at the office. Montana Advocacy Program is joining the disability rights awareness campaign against the R‐word. We ask you to not use the word. We also ask you to pay attention. When you hear a child, co‐worker, or friend use the R‐word, ask them not to. Thoughtlessly using the words “retard” or “retarded” perpetuates prejudice and discrimination towards people with disabilities. It is hurtful and should not be tolerated. Let us all do our part to hold ourselves and each other accountable.

by Bernadette Franks-Ongoy, Executive Director
Montana Advocacy Program
400 N. Park Ave.
Helena, MT 59405

Voice/TDD: (406) 449-2344
Toll Free: (800) 245-4743
Fax: (406) 449-2418
E‐mail:
Website: www.mtadv.org

I like to believe that it’s a lack of thought and not meanness that makes people use words that hurt. That they’re going with the flow, following the crowd, saying what everyone else is saying with no intent to wound.

But words do wound…….

 ……………….”This is an issue about dignity and respect,” he says. “About all citizens of the Commonwealth being treated with respect.”

Read the rest of the story: 

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/25/lets_not_use_words_that_wound/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+–+City%2FRegion+News

by BEVERLY BECKHAM, Boston Globe, March 25th, 2007