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From: R-word | Spread the Word to End the Word
"The R-word is the word 'retard(ed)'. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory. The R-word is hate speech...
When they were originally introduced, the terms “mental retardation” or “mentally retarded” were medical terms with a specifically clinical connotation; however, the pejorative forms, “retard” and “retarded” have been used widely in today’s society to degrade and insult people with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, when “retard” and “retarded” are used as synonyms for “dumb” or “stupid” by people without disabilities, it only reinforces painful stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities being less valued members of humanity."
Recent pledges:
Default pledge: "I pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities."
My pledge: "The R Word is pernicious but I find the term "intellectual disabilities" almost as offensive and insulting. I support inclusion of the "Differently-abled"!"
(there is a delay between pledging and having the pledges show up - I'm suspecting it's more due to screening of pledges than server lag, since I didn't see anyone pledging that "this campaign is retarded")
As @lynnylchan comments, "Not allowed to say 'disabled', it's now 'differently abled'... this is pointless."
In other words, the website and campaign are already outdated and offensive.
Moral of the story: Offence is in the Eye of the Offended.
More: Pinker on the Euphemism Treadmill
