I meant to write this diary over the holiday break as a response to somebody who used the word "retard" in a comment. I came to the defense of another Kossack and the two of us agreed that the other person mistook her for implying that she used that ugly term.
However, we both agree that we shouldn't be using derogatory language in this community.
For anybody who uses the word "retard" online or offline, please click on this link to a 30-second PSA featuring Jane Lynch from Glee.
I'm an enormous gleek because that show does a really good job at humanizing gays and lesbians as well as people with disabilities, both physical and mental. It's really important for America's youth to have an alternative to South Park, which is another show that I like because of it's social criticisms. Sometimes kids and even adults think that it's OK to be using this kind of language from television simply don't realize that it hurts others and their families.
Look, it's a new year with a really important election on the horizon. It's time that we started making some simple changes in our lives by cleaning up our language and show some civility. It's not important who said it here, so let's not run them or anyone else out of the community. We need to constructively work with members of this community so that they can exercise their freedom of speech responsibly. Otherwise, how do we deal with the bigots from the other side of the fence?
I humbly request that people in this community be more mindful of their language this year because when we make these small, linguistic changes in our conduct then we become slightly better people.
-nerve
3:27 PM PT: For the record, I only mean that "retard" should not be used as a pejorative term.