How do you feel about the word retard?

Post Reply New Topic

MY dad was somewhat like that didn't think I was very smart sorta slow.That was before I was tested along time later and found to have autism+dd and he was already dead.

Q: How do you feel about the R word?
A: People want to mock me or make fun of me.

I think it is terrible.

That word is the reason that I still have a fear of typical teenagers. I have my music softly playing on low at night, so I won't have to hear the ignorant noises that they make as they walk past my building.

I've given some thought to why people use it. Not just retard but offensive language like "idiot", "moron", "weird", and "weirdo". I've come to the conclusion that it's just a more socially acceptable way to insult autistic people. Nowadays you can't insult people with disabilities for their disability because they obviously can't help it. It's a taboo. I think it's good that it's taboo. It should be taboo to insult a disability. Retard itself shouldn't even be a dirty word. It's the way people use it that has made it one. The sad thing is people with disabilities are vulnerable and a lot of us aren't in a position to self-advocate. I have the advantage of being articulate when I want to but with people that are actually mentally retarded do you think they can defend themselves from bullies? Probably not. Those of us that are higher functioning need to advocate for the lesser functioning folks. The lesser functioning folks are still human beings deserving of respect. Somebody has to stand up for them. That's my 2 cents.

^^^

“Retard” is shorthand for “Retarded” . “Retarded” was once a medical diagnosis. When I was growing up in the 60s and 70s “Retarded” was a schoolyard insult but was also used a purely descriptive term for what we now call “Intellectual Disability”.

“Retard” came into use sometime later. I have never read or heard it used as anything but an insult.

I think that the word retard is a common way for people to be cruel when they say it. However, I have more difficulty with the word autistic being used to describe in a pejorative way some behaviours that can be seen as weird. When used in such a context, it cast a negative light on people who exhibit such behaviours and make them more vulnerable. It also give the impression that being autistic is something negative, which should not be.

I'd rather be called "autistic" than "retard"--any day of the week.

Once, this kid went around all day calling me "retard." Then he wanted to shake my hand. I shook it all right---torn wrist ligaments for him! The kid's mother sent my mother a doctor bill. My mother didn't understand.

Hmmm..

The heck should I feel with the term?!



But here's what I've observed: people here are rather impressionable when it comes to western terms.

So yes, the term can be as much of a slur -- but as it is an English term, using it is not without any extra context more towards a direct speaker than the receiver or subject.

Gained Number Post Count (1).
Lose Time (n).

The problem about using the R-word is it assumes:

A. the speaker is superior to you, and
B. it does not apply to him.

The trouble is the people that use the term are mistaken on both counts...

in my experience the ones who promiscuously bandy this term, are the same kinds of folks who would likely vomit equally infantile invective such as "make like a tree and get outta here!"