Salvete Amici,
Sorry I have been absent for a while. I don’t have any excuses, so let me jump right in. Today I want to talk about one of my pet peeves: the misuse of the word “retarded.”
I’d love to start a campaign called “Use It Right,” because people just aren’t aware that calling something retarded is derogatory to people who actually are mentally retarded.
It isn’t difficult to use it correctly. The word “retarded” is a medical term used to describe people with mental retardation. It can’t apply to anything. So if you want to describe an idea, place, or thing, that’s probably not the word you are looking for.
But then there will be people who will ask you “Hey, why so uptight, it’s just a saying! It’s no big deal.” Well, maybe to you it isn’t. But to me, comparing something stupid or annoying to a unique individual with hopes and dreams is degrading.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post! Feel free facebook share or reblog this post to spread awareness!
I hope that this post has helped you understand why using the word “retarded” out of context can be hurtful and mean. And if it hasn’t, I hope it has at least made you think about it.
Peace,
~Pindari
Fairdom 