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Spread the Word to End the Word that Starts with R. "March 31, 2009 is the official Spread the Word to End the Word day. A campaign launched by the Special Olympics, this day is set aside for all to rethink the gratuitous use of the r-word. The latter, of course, is the use of "retard" in everyday slang. Is it a great cause or a case of hyper sensitivity in a world that thrives on political correctness?"
Fortunately, it pretty well is absent from my world; I have not heard it for a long time. This may be evidence that it is dying out.
If it is dying out, this possible oversensitivity may be counterproductive. But, please don't take this statement as insensitive on my part; I have had mentally challenged cousins in my life all my life. I would never use words about their condition in a hurtful manner.
BTW, I will probably always use "retard, retarded, and retarding" when adjusting the ignition timing on an engine.
Emmett
Even if insensitive, cruel people would somehow stop using the word retard, there is no shortage of other words to take its place. I think that this kind of campaign gives pejorative words more attention than they deserve, and doesn't help. And why use a euphemism like "gratuitous use of the word" when what is meant is insulting use of the word?
Digging a little deeper under the surface of this issue, would it be good if we had no pejorative words in our language? What would we call such a language, Pollyannaish?
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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