The acceptability of using the word 'retarded'

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_beastie
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Post by _beastie »

It is indeed offensive.

I volunteer for a local Special Olympics and the disabilities run the gambit. Anyway, I could get into a tizzy about it... but it doesn't change the behavior on this board apparently.

It's not funny making fun of kids that have disabilities - atleast it's not to me.



I absolutely agree. It makes me cringe every time yet another person uses it on this board. I've asked people to stop in the past, but apparently it's a word they're far too fond of to abandon.
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_truth dancer
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Post by _truth dancer »

Nehor....

Arguing on the Internet is like competing in the Special Olympics. Even if you win you're still retarded.


It is statements like this that make me really question the "divine communion with God," abilities you claim to have.

Talk about mean spirited, nasty, completely unchristlike, and absolutely uncharitable!

You should be ashamed of yourself... and please give up the "God is talking to me" story. I seriously don't think God is talking to anyone who is this cruel hearted.

~dancer~
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_The Nehor
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Post by _The Nehor »

barrelomonkeys wrote:
The Nehor wrote:
beastie wrote:
I think I've just been patronized ;)


Actually, I suspect she is reprimanding you for the use of the word "retarded" which several people around here are far too fond of, and really is very offensive.


Don't I get permission to use it since I actually contribute and help out in the Special Olympics?


Oh you do Nehor? Well that is rather shocking to me! Surely you know that plenty of participants are not mentally retarded! Why don't you ask them about that 'funny' next time you volunteer and see what kind of chuckles you get. :)


I do know that. I spent a lot of time at a group home for the mentally retarded for several years. People questioned why I was there. To this day I maintain I was an employee and have the pay stubs to prove it......in no way was it a clerical error :)
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics
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_The Nehor
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Post by _The Nehor »

truth dancer wrote:Nehor....

Arguing on the Internet is like competing in the Special Olympics. Even if you win you're still retarded.


It is statements like this that make me really question the "divine communion with God," abilities you claim to have.

Talk about mean spirited, nasty, completely unchristlike, and absolutely uncharitable!

You should be ashamed of yourself... and please give up the "God is talking to me" story. I seriously don't think God is talking to anyone who is this cruel hearted.

~dancer~


I'm convinced I helped old ladies across the street in the PreMortal world and that's where it comes from.
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics
"I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
_Some Schmo
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Post by _Some Schmo »

barrelomonkeys wrote:It is indeed offensive.

I volunteer for a local Special Olympics and the disabilities run the gambit. Anyway, I could get into a tizzy about it... but it doesn't change the behavior on this board apparently.

It's not funny making fun of kids that have disabilities - atleast it's not to me.


"Retarded" is yet another word like "cult" and "midget" that has become a pejorative only because people don't like what it means, or some have observed that it's an effective way to insult people. By being offended by it, you're only adding to it's offensiveness.

by the way, I think the word you were likely looking for was "gamut", not "gambit" (unless chess is part of the Special Olympics). Just a heads up.... ;)
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_asbestosman
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Post by _asbestosman »

I'd say compared to an omniscient being, we're all about equally mentally deficient. However, I take great comfort in knowing that He made us that way.
Last edited by Analytics on Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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_truth dancer
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Post by _truth dancer »

I'm convinced I helped old ladies across the street in the PreMortal world and that's where it comes from.


What?

This is your excuse for finding humor by making fun of human beings with disabilities? Wow!

I find it sick to think it is funny to be cruel to those who are most in need of kindness and compassion.

As I said.... give up the "God talks to me" story!


~dancer~
"The search for reality is the most dangerous of all undertakings for it destroys the world in which you live." Nisargadatta Maharaj
_The Nehor
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Post by _The Nehor »

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

I agree with Schmo. Brain melting......

Seriously though Americans are far too easy to offend. In South America 'fat boy' or 'retarded kid' can be a term of endearment. The stigma we assign to words serves to increase differences between groups. I loved the way the British could throw around racist slang without meaning it. It mocked the differences and lessened the differences between people.

For example: (not for those seeking to be offended)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=PFlNyqeeifA
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics
"I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
_barrelomonkeys
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Post by _barrelomonkeys »

It makes me sad for those with disabilities. :(

And that's it.
_The Nehor
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Post by _The Nehor »

truth dancer wrote:
I'm convinced I helped old ladies across the street in the PreMortal world and that's where it comes from.


What?

This is your excuse for finding humor by making fun of human beings with disabilities? Wow!

I find it sick to think it is funny to be cruel to those who are most in need of kindness and compassion.

As I said.... give up the "God talks to me" story!


~dancer~


I'm mocking people without disabilities: Internet Posters.

Now that I think about it though that designation might be questionable.
"Surely he knows that DCP, The Nehor, Lamanite, and other key apologists..." -Scratch clarifying my status in apologetics
"I admit it; I'm a petty, petty man." -Some Schmo
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