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.
There was not anyone that was actually speaking out in a national effort to stop the attitude of discrimination and prejudice against those that had disabilities. However, a site by the name of, The 'r' Word Campaign became the first site that this nation has known that brought attention to the way that certain phrases were being used.
People can check themselves and think about the last time they heard the word retard being used in a defamatory way. Maybe it was at school, work, or at a public facility. People hardly ever directly use those terms with a person who has a disability. Maybe doing harm is not always intentional, but the wrong term being used the wrong way does hurt individuals and families.
Just as Rome was not built in a day, neither is a person's vocabulary. It takes years to build and develop. So, it will take years sometimes to omit certain terminology. Those with disabilities understand that. But, what they want others to understand is their desire for others to be aware of the things that they speak. Other terms and phrases can be used.
The reason for this campaign that has brought about this pledge is to bring awareness about the use of this hateful terminology and encourage people to take a stand and speak against it. When an individual takes a stand on their own and tells others about the misuse of this word, it no longer becomes opinion. It has now become a matter of 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.
There was not anyone that was actually speaking out in a national effort to stop the attitude of discrimination and prejudice against those that had disabilities. However, a site by the name of, The 'r' Word Campaign became the first site that this nation has known that brought attention to the way that certain phrases were being used.
People can check themselves and think about the last time they heard the word retard being used in a defamatory way. Maybe it was at school, work, or at a public facility. People hardly ever directly use those terms with a person who has a disability. Maybe doing harm is not always intentional, but the wrong term being used the wrong way does hurt individuals and families.
Just as Rome was not built in a day, neither is a person's vocabulary. It takes years to build and develop. So, it will take years sometimes to omit certain terminology. Those with disabilities understand that. But, what they want others to understand is their desire for others to be aware of the things that they speak. Other terms and phrases can be used.
The reason for this campaign that has brought about this pledge is to bring awareness about the use of this hateful terminology and encourage people to take a stand and speak against it. When an individual takes a stand on their own and tells others about the misuse of this word, it no longer becomes opinion. It has now become a matter of 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.
About the Author:
If you are looking for the facts about the R word pledge, go to our web pages online here today. More details are available at http://familymemberinc.org now.
