April 2010 is the third anniversary of the first R-Word Campaign Web site promoting a national grass-roots effort encouraging those who find the ‘r’ word offensive to stand-up and make their voices heard. http://therword.org/about-this-site/ Thank you all for joining in this effort! You are making a difference!
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The R-word is a slur based on the rankest forms of prejudice, fear and stereotyping,
How to talk about disabilities
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/17/AR2010021704712.html
What is glaringly missing from the debate over the epithet “retard” in The Post [” ‘Retard’: The language of bigotry,” op- ed, Feb. 15] is the voice of anyone with a disability who spent a lifetime enduring such garbage.
Since I was a child, growing up with cerebral palsy, I have put up with and, worse yet, witnessed others putting up with derision from schoolyard bullies, so-called satirists and politicians. Is such speech protected by the First Amendment? Certainly it is. Free speech, however, is a two-way street. If you are going to claim the right to utter the word, don’t pretend to be foggy about its meaning.
The R-word is a slur based on the rankest forms of prejudice, fear and stereotyping, and everyone from kindergartners to those in high positions knows it. If you want to use the word, use it. But if you are an adult, don’t try to shield yourself from criticism by claiming that those who challenge your words and your intent are just being “politically correct” when they call you out for being what you are — a bigot.
The First Amendment does not discriminate between those who are entitled to its protections.
Bob Williams, Washington
The writer was commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 1993 to 1997.
The ‘r’ Word is the new ‘n’ Word
When this happened there was outrage;
http://www.tmz.com/2006/11/20/kramers-racist-tirade-caught-on-tape/
When this happened, people laughed;
What’s the difference?
or let Comedy Central know how you feel about Dana Gould @ http://www.comedycentral.com/help/questionsCC.jhtml
Texas Senator Introduces Legislation to Eliminate the “r-Word”
Senator Zaffirini needs your support, please e-mail her at;
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist21/Dist21.htm#form
Use Respectful Language: Eliminate the “R-word”
by State Senator Judith Zaffirini, Ph.D.
Wednesday (March 3) is National “Spread the Word to End the Word” Awareness Day, offering us a rich opportunity to focus on using respectful language for persons with intellectual disabilities by eliminating the “R-word.”
Our efforts were bolstered recently when an American Psychiatric Association review panel unveiled proposed revisions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, an influential guidebook in the mental health field. One recommended change favored by the panel is particularly overdue: eliminating all variations of the word “retarded” and replacing them with respectful language referencing persons with intellectual disabilities.
The “R-word” is extremely hurtful and demeaning to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and its use presents significant barriers to community inclusion. State governments are recognizing this belatedly and are progressing toward the universal use of respectful language: Several states voted recently to remove the R-word from statute. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate is considering Rosa’s Law, a bill to eliminate the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” from federal health, education and labor laws.
Texas should not lag behind. In 2009 I authored legislation that would have required all variations of the word “R-word” to be removed from Texas statutes. Although SB 1395 was heard by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, it was never scheduled for a vote. I plan to re-file this respectful language legislation for the next Texas Legislative Session that will convene on Jan. 11.
When it comes to treating persons with respect, Texas should lead by example, and our leaders should too. Recently high-level advisors to Gov. Rick Perry and President Barack Obama were criticized deservedly for using the R-word inappropriately. This is not a partisan issue. It is a matter of human decency. Eliminating the R-word from our everyday and legal language would reflect our commitment to the ethic of respectful reciprocity, or what many of us know as the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Equally important, it also would reflect the Platinum Rule: Treat others the way they would like to be treated. These rules are not only the way we should live our lives, but also are the best approach to public policy.
Sadly, removing outdated and disrespectful language in statutes and in dense psychiatric tomes can take a long time. The revisions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, for instance, will be the first in 10 years, and the process is not yet complete.
Fortunately, no legislation has to be passed for us to start eliminating the R-word from everyday speech. We can start immediately by talking with our friends and family and by participating in the National “Spread the Word to End the Word” Awareness Day on Wednesday.
“If you don’t speak up, you’re surrendering part of yourself. You’re letting bigotry win.”
Six Steps to Speak Up
Whatever situation you’re in, remember these six steps to help you speak up against everyday bigotry. In any situation, however, assess your safety, both physical and emotional. There is a risk, and that must be acknowledged as you make your own choice to Speak Up!
Be Ready. You know another moment like this will happen, so prepare yourself for it. Think of yourself as the one who will speak up. Promise yourself not to remain silent.
“Summon your courage, whatever it takes to get that courage, wherever that source of courage is for you,” said Dr. Marsha Houston, chair of the Communication Studies Department at the University of Alabama.
To bolster that courage, have something to say in mind before an incident happens. Open-ended questions often are a good response. “Why do you say that?” “How did you develop that belief?”
Identify the Behavior. Sometimes, pointing out the behavior candidly helps someone hear what they’re really saying: “Janice, what I hear you saying is that all Mexicans are lazy” (or whatever the slur happens to be). Or, “Janice, you’re classifying an entire ethnicity in a derogatory way. Is that what I hear you saying?”
When identifying behavior, however, avoid labeling, name-calling or the use of loaded terms. Describe the behavior; don’t label the person.
“If your goal is to communicate, loaded terms get you nowhere,” said Dr. K.E. Supriya, associate professor of communications at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and an expert in the role of gender and cultural identity in communication. “If you simply call someone a racist, a wall goes up.”
Appeal to Principles. If the speaker is someone you have a relationship with — a sister, friend or co-worker, for example — call on their higher principles: “Bob, I’ve always thought of you as a fair-minded person, so it shocks me when I hear you say something that sounds so bigoted.”
“Appeal to their better instincts,” Houston said. “Remember that people are complex. What they say in one moment is not necessarily an indication of everything they think.”
Set Limits. You cannot control another person, but you can say, “Don’t tell racist jokes in my presence anymore. If you do, I will leave.” Or, “My workspace is not a place I allow bigoted remarks to be made. I can’t control what you say outside of this space, but here I ask that you respect my wishes.” Then follow through.
“The point is to draw a line, to say, ‘I don’t want you to use that language when I’m around,'” Bob Carolla, spokesman for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. “Even if attitudes don’t change, by shutting off bad behavior, you are limiting its contagion. Fewer people hear it or experience it.”
Find an Ally/Be an Ally. When frustrated in your own campaign against everyday bigotry, seek out like-minded people and ask them to support you in whatever ways they can.
And don’t forget to return the favor: If you aren’t the first voice to speak up against everyday bigotry, be the next voice.
“Always speak up, and never be silenced out of fear,” said Shane Windmeyer, founder and coordinator of Campus PrideNet and the Lambda 10 Project. “To be an ally, we must lead by example and inspire others to do the same.”
Be Vigilant. Remember: Change happens slowly. People make small steps, typically, not large ones. Stay prepared, and keep speaking up. Don’t risk silence.
“There’s a sense of personal disappointment in having not said something when you felt you should have,” said Ron Schlittler, acting executive director of the national office of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
Carolla put it this way: “If you don’t speak up, you’re surrendering part of yourself. You’re letting bigotry win.”
Caddo Schools Participates in “My Words Matter” Day
Caddo Public School, Caddo, Oklahoma, participated in the national “Spread the Word to End the ‘r’ Word” day on March 3 by asking students to take the “My Words Matter” pledge. Two special needs students visited each class and talked about the ‘r’ word and how it affected students.
Dianne Horton, Special Olympic Coach, Caddo School said. “We asked each class to use alternative words and be more mindful of our students. The response was overwhelming.”
The group gathered over 450 names from the school. The group also took students to the Bank and to our local Dairy Queen where the were able to secure additional names and commitments. The entire school participated in the event.
The commitment cards will remain on our wall at the school for the rest of the month of March as a constant reminder to the students of their commitment.
Each time our Special Needs students pass by the wall they look at the pledges and tell teachers, “that the kids did this for us .”
“They are so happy!” Horton said. “It was a pleasure to participate in this activity awareness.”
Thousands rally to end the r-Word
Rally for disabled asks: Don’t use the ‘R’ word
MiamiHerald.com – Pamela Duque
March 3 was national day for Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, a national movement led by Best Buddies International and Special Olympics …
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/04/1511368/rally-for-disabled-asks-dont-use.html
Newark High students pledge against R-word
Newark Post – Jon Buzby
If one person can make a difference, imagine what a thousand can do. Or even hundreds of thousands. On Wednesday at Newark High School, …
http://www.newarkpostonline.com/articles/2010/03/04/news/doc4b8ff64b63250759325737.txt
Here’s one word that should be abolished
Lake Forester
The R-word. Did you help “Spread the Word to End the Word” yesterday as the Special Olympics asked of us? One year ago, President Obama made a disastrous …
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/lakeforest/news/2076713,lake-forest-mariamalincolumn-030410-s1.article
PTHS Students Spread The Word To End The Word
Pontiac Illinois Community News
According to the sponsoring teacher Laura Sengpiel, the Special Olympics is sponsoring a movement to eliminate the “R-word.” The students recorded a video …
http://visitpontiac.com/components/news/community/article.php?a=c2ac5b6dc736459ed7769b7574462341
Pledge gains momentum
Casper Star-Tribune Online – Jackie Borchardt
Third-graders, from left to right, Jake Pique, Brooke Abbott and Kyndle Cutler, take the ‘Spread the Word to End the Word’ pledge around to classrooms at …
http://www.trib.com/news/local/article_d444851a-6bba-5fe2-8934-d459f748a23a.html
Students, community members hold campus-wide protest against use of R-word
SU The Daily Orange (subscription) – Sarah Lee
“Spread the word to end the word,” Kayla McKeon shouted behind her booth at Schine Student Center as several students walked in her direction. …
http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2010/03/04/News/Students.Community.Members.Hold.CampusWide.Protest.Against.Use.Of.RWord-3884482.shtml
They’re getting the word out
Attleboro Sun Chronicle – Rick Foster
“Every time I hear the “R” word, I think of all the people it could be offending, including some of my friends.” Heller said “Spread The Word to End The …
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2010/03/04/news/7042380.txt
Hundreds of students sign pledge to stop using the ‘R-word’
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_News_Local_W_srword04.472ddfb.html
Oklahoma Legislators Take r-Word Pledge
Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives took the r-Word pledge during their session today at the Oklahoma state capitol. Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry proclaimed March 3, 2010 as “Spread the Word to End the ‘r’ Word Day” in Oklahoma. Leading the pledge was Kerrie White, 16-year-old Noble High School sophomore who has a sister with multiple disabilities. Kerrie was invited to speak to the House by Scott Martin, District 46, Republican. Oklahoma legislators welcomed White, her sister and other family members at the beginning of today’s session.
Students across the nation recognized this day by taking the “My Words Matter Pledge”.
“We want to make everyone aware how hurtful this word can be,” Kerrie said. White and other students in Noble will be passing out posters and stickers to other students today.
The “Spread the Word to End the ‘r’ Word Day” brings awareness that using the words “retard” or “retarded” to mean something stupid or bad is hurtful to people who have disabilities and the people who love them.
Not only does it perpetuate prejudice and discrimination towards people with disabilities, but simply because when its used in an ugly way this word is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur or hate speech.
My Words Matter Pledge by Jenna Glatzer © 2004
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.
Students may copy and use Glatzer’s pledge to start “Spread the Word to End the ‘r’ Word Day” Campaign’s in their own schools.
According to the 2005 U.S. Census Bureau, 604,245 Oklahomans, 19.0% age 5 and over, have some form of disability. Approximately 50,000 people with developmental disabilities live in Oklahoma. This group is also the most inclusive and diverse, it includes; all ages, genders, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations and socioeconomic levels.
For more information on “Spread the Word to End the ‘r’ Word Day” or to find out more about this grass roots effort visit The “R” Word Campaign Website at:
http://www.therword.org
How to get rid of the ‘R’ word
They were calling each other “Retard” because name-calling involving people with intellectual disabilities is one of the few – perhaps the only – forms of hate speech routinely tolerated today.
In a world slowly but increasingly embracing more and more different kinds of people – those of various skin colors, sexual orientation, race and religions – people with cognitive impairments are generally not being asked to the party. Think about it: How many people with intellectual disabilities do you know, let alone socialize with, even casually?