re: The R-Word

[Guest guest]

I exchanged emails recently with a parent of a young child and we seem

to be in agreement. History shows us moving on from whatever word we

used to describe the condition of those who had or have what is now

called developmental disability. I look back at the terms moron, idiot,

and imbecile which described what 30 years ago was mild, moderate, or

severe mental retardation. We moved on to educatable and trainable. In

general Down syndrome was described as mongolism, in a manner that was

apparently meant to reflect the facial similarity with some Asian groups

and nothing more. These were words used to describe and define a

condition, not unlike tall, fat, skinny, etc.

My correspondent expressed unease with some of current language.

Elsewhere in the lexicon, retarded means slowed, but not stopped. On

the other hand disabled is often used to mean stopped as in: The alarm

is disabled. Believe me, those with down syndrome are not stopped, even

if they are a little behind or slower than others.

I've watched organizations struggle with their identity. Retarded in a

non-profit's name becomes Rehabilitation until someone points out that

it doesn't describe the mission. The Association for Retarded Children

becomes the Association for Retarded Citizens, and then eventually

becomes the ARC, with no meaning implied.

The problem comes when any of these terms is used in either name calling

or in humor. This isn't new to humanity. Still, I don't see those of

Polish extraction asking for that word to be removed from the

vocabulary. I do see reason to object to Polack in name calling, just

as I object to the word retard or tard used in similar fashion.

I'm OK. I can accept whatever is today's correct words. I can manage

" people first " in my language. On the other hand I don't object when

someone talks to me in an appropriate fashion with old words. I don't

feel the need to scold them. On the other hand, I find myself a little

embarrassed that in my childhood we thought moron jokes were neat. I

can get angry when any words are used to hurt people.

It's OK if we take the R-word out of circulation, but we will just find

that the new term will also need to be replaced once it is commonplace.

Just one parent's opinion

Rick .. dad to 37 year old Jan (who isn't upset by the R-word in its

proper usage, but is upset by the word RETARD)

p.s. Do you ever use the words stupid or idiot in describing people?

Shouldn't they be banned also.