It is wonderful to live in a country that believes in the freedom of speech. People are allowed to say what they want because after all, it is their opinion. However, sometimes the things that come out of an individual's mouth are intended to not simply make a point, but sometimes to hurt. Many times, people don't stop and think about how what they say can affect other people. Many have decided to take the r word pledge. They pledge to keep the word retarded out of their vocabulary.
It is true, that there are those that have some form of a disability, and the term mental retardation may be used to describe them. It becomes a serious issue, when it is being used as an adjective in a derogatory way to describe a situation, person, or action. It hurts when it shouldn't. Just because an individual has a disability does not mean that they are a bad person. They should not be treated as taboo, nor their condition. The reason why this pledge is special is because it encourages people to stop using the word "retarded" because it hurts.
For many years, no one really took a stand nationally to speak out against the attitudes of discrimination and prejudice shown towards those with disabilities. Now, many sites all over the internet are making their presence known and bringing attention to how these derogatory words are being communicated.
Individuals may want to take inventory of the last time they heard certain terminology such as retard being used in a harmful way. They could have heard it in the work place, at school, or maybe even at the mall. It is funny how people seldom call those with certain disabilities by those awful terms. But the truth remains that the "r" word when used incorrectly still hurts.
Vocabulary is something that is built and grows overtime. Therefore, it will take some time to omit terminology that is used so often. Individuals with disabilities know that, but just want people to be aware of the terminology that they use. There are some common phrases that can be used instead of the r word such as ridiculous, silly, or even outlandish.
The true reason that this campaign was started was to bring recognition to the way certain terms were used, and help people to want to stand up against it. Individuals who stand up without anyone telling them to in regards to how these phrases are used, encourage others to do the same. Now, it is no longer opinion, but it is about showing respect.
Many people believe that being an advocate for change can put an end to how people think, as well as how they speak. Harmful effects to people with disabilities does not have to continue. All one needs to do is watch what they say, and open their hearts.
Rosa's Law, which was established by the Obama administration in 2010, took the terms "intellectual disability" as a replacement to "mental retardation." Legislation has decided that there is no room for the use of derogatory words in federal legislation. Therefore, the change to make it disappear altogether falls on the individual.
It is true, that there are those that have some form of a disability, and the term mental retardation may be used to describe them. It becomes a serious issue, when it is being used as an adjective in a derogatory way to describe a situation, person, or action. It hurts when it shouldn't. Just because an individual has a disability does not mean that they are a bad person. They should not be treated as taboo, nor their condition. The reason why this pledge is special is because it encourages people to stop using the word "retarded" because it hurts.
For many years, no one really took a stand nationally to speak out against the attitudes of discrimination and prejudice shown towards those with disabilities. Now, many sites all over the internet are making their presence known and bringing attention to how these derogatory words are being communicated.
Individuals may want to take inventory of the last time they heard certain terminology such as retard being used in a harmful way. They could have heard it in the work place, at school, or maybe even at the mall. It is funny how people seldom call those with certain disabilities by those awful terms. But the truth remains that the "r" word when used incorrectly still hurts.
Vocabulary is something that is built and grows overtime. Therefore, it will take some time to omit terminology that is used so often. Individuals with disabilities know that, but just want people to be aware of the terminology that they use. There are some common phrases that can be used instead of the r word such as ridiculous, silly, or even outlandish.
The true reason that this campaign was started was to bring recognition to the way certain terms were used, and help people to want to stand up against it. Individuals who stand up without anyone telling them to in regards to how these phrases are used, encourage others to do the same. Now, it is no longer opinion, but it is about showing respect.
Many people believe that being an advocate for change can put an end to how people think, as well as how they speak. Harmful effects to people with disabilities does not have to continue. All one needs to do is watch what they say, and open their hearts.
Rosa's Law, which was established by the Obama administration in 2010, took the terms "intellectual disability" as a replacement to "mental retardation." Legislation has decided that there is no room for the use of derogatory words in federal legislation. Therefore, the change to make it disappear altogether falls on the individual.
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