Roosevelt University's social justice mission makes it imperative that every student treats those with intellectual disabilities with respect, compassion and dignity.
It is time to "Spread the Word to End the Word," and to make people stop and think about their hurtful and insulting use of the word "retard."
On March 31, 2009, young people with and without intellectual disabilities launched a national day of awareness across the country to raise the consciousness of society about the derogatory use and hurtful effects of the word "retard(ed)" and to encourage people to pledge to stop using the "R word."
Notre Dame student Soeren Palumbo and Yale student Tim Shriver are spearheading the campaign. Special Olympics athletes across the country are also taking a stand. The celebrity activist John C. McGinley of the TV show "Scrubs" is a spokes¬person for the campaign, as well as the spokesperson for the National Downs Syndrome Society. He can relate to the hurtful use of the word because he has a son who has Downs Syndrome.
All language that is respectful and inclusive is very essential to the dignity and humanity of people with intellectual dis¬abilities. However, today much of our society does not even recognize the cruel, dehumanizing, and exclusive effects of the word "retard(ed)."
To learn more or to make a verbal pledge, visit www.r-word.org to learn how you can "Spread the Word to End the Word."
1 comments
I used to have a lable put on me that said that I was retarded and just because I do things much slower than some folks everyone is delayed in some area in their life and I am very glad to see that retarded word gone