The R Word Pledge And Why It Matters

By William Green


People have a tendency to use language in indicting hurt to others, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Sometimes words have a way of excluding people. It makes them feel that they are not like everyone else and that everyone else does not want to be like them.

There was a time when medical terms where specifically just clinical connotations. Exactly what it should have remained. Then society happened. A medical term was turned into some serious name calling when the ignorance of many people made them refer to children with intellectual disabilities as something out of line. Which then encouraged the rest to take part in the R Word Pledge.

There are times that it is just a case of people not knowing better. For others, they just did not think twice. This is why movements like the pledge seeks to bring forth awareness of the negative stereotypes behind calling someone retard. There are many ways of influencing the fight for it. Do what you can to inspire others in doing the same thing.

Even when it is unintentional, the term is considered derogatory since it will always be associated to children or adults who are intellectually impaired. This is the main reason why the campaign seeks to eliminate it completely, from the vocabularies of society. These individuals are no different from the rest of us.

That those who are disabled mentally should not be treated as any less human than the rest of us. That it is not right for others to make them feel that they have lesser value in humanity. To dispel these negative stereotypes, some groups dedicated themselves to encouraging others into focusing on the talents of individuals.

You can never change the way society see it as. That is why such advocacies exist in the first place. There are ways to avoid it, so that it can be eliminated altogether, as what the campaign aims to achieve. First and foremost, know that people who have disabilities are still people.

What they cannot do, or what they lack, do not necessarily define who they are. It does not encompass the things they can do, entirely. This does not mean however, that you can just ignore their disabilities. Get to know them well because they long to be included, and tired of being excluded.

At this point, advocates believes that you should learn how to include all people with disabilities. They are no different from the rest, and should be treated as such. They have as much right and access to everything as any average person would. Participate by not spreading hurt. Do yourself a favor by being morally concerned.

If it takes a call to action so society can overcome this, then so be it. It is not all about changing language. It is more about trying to improve perceptions, especially negative ones. It is one way of shifting the rest to a whole new direction of recognizing people with different abilities, not condemning them for the things they cannot do or understand. Use words that respects people. Be for people. This way, you respect yourself too.




About the Author: