The diagnosis, Mentally Retarded, was meant to be a kinder and nicer replacement for the former terms of idiot, moron, imbecile, or feeble minded. Those terms, originating as diagnostic terms in the late 19th and early 20th, found their way into everyday English as insult words. The newer term began to be used in the 50s, and also became an insult, but far more weaponized than idiot, moron, and imbecile ever were. The R word, and its derivatives, are increasingly frowned upon, even when used in the most dispassionate manner. Hence, newer terms such as intellectually disabled or challenged are use. But the R words remain, as invasive predatory creatures. They are utilized not only to ridicule people with intellectual disabilities, but those who have various learning disabilities, those who are different in one way or another, and as an ad-hominem brickbats. (Right wingers calling us libtards would be a classic example.)
We’ve seen politicians throw around those words to attempt to derail those who would dare to disagree with them – Sarah Palin and Rohm Emmanuel come to mind. Talk radio types and right wing internet trolls love that word and it’s spinoffs,
OK, any word might be acceptable in context, even the most offensive. A writer cranking out a novel or a screenplay might well words that are quite unacceptable in everyday polite English, whether they be swear words, or various slurs. Someone reproducing a direct quote may use the actual word used instead of the bowdlerized version depending on their stomach, and the editorial rules they labor under. But that doesn’t mean that ugly, offensive words even in those context, should be gratuitously used. (I couldn’t get more than 15 minutes into the movie 48 Hours due to the constant use of the F and N words.) And I certainly don’t enjoy seeing them posted all over the Daily Kos, particularly in headlines.
I ran into a diary recently where somebody thought It would be funny to refer to a certain past public official going full-r****d, and linked to a clip from a movie where the R word was being used for laughs. A few posters did not like use of that word. Diarist responded that the word was not meant to be offensive, so no big deal. That’s the way it always goes. If they didn’t mean the word to offend, how dare anyone take offense. Diary got tons of recs, so apparently the ‘R slur wasn’t big deal to them.
I was on the receiving that word as kid, not for being too slow, but too nerdy. Asperger’s wasn’t a thing then in 60 and 70s and I my mental difference weren’t likely to bring me in contact with a school psychologist. I went to a Catholic school run by nuns and they didn’t believe in all that psych stuff. Even if I had been sent to public school, our district wasn’t all that great, particularly if you lived in the wrong zip code, so I would have been still out of luck. I got called that name, and a bunch of others names, just for not fitting in. I got it from my redneck father who was barely literate, and I was four years ahead of my grade according to the standardized testing. I know how that word is weaponized, and how it stings when it is hurled at you. Like any slurs, these sticks and stones do great harm when used as weapons by those who have the power against those who do not. (BTW, I got diagnosed as Asperger’s in my late 30s in 96. I always had felt like I was from another planet. At last I had the confirmation as such.)
Please admins, can the R word be considered a hate term on this site and treated as one? The Rules of the Road ban hateful words, and terms used by repubs as assault words. Racial, ethnic and, homophobic slurs are mention as being specifically banned. Can the R word, specifically to that list? It really needs to go. I’ll say again I don’t mind the word used in proper context. It’s one thing to quote a radio talker using this word. It’s one thing to refer to somebody in 1960 to having a diagnoses of mental retardation, which would have been indeed the diagnosis. But other than that, that word and it’s diminutive need to go. You may say I’m a dreamer. But I’m not the only one. Here are a few others.
Here is a Washington Post opinion on this. If you hit their paywall on this link or the below links, right click on link and open as private/incognito window.
Here’s a New York Times opinion piece on the same.
An opinion piece from the Chicago Tribune.
A piece from an advocacy site.
Please, stop using that word as an insult. .