When someone calls something that they think is stupid "retarded" they are, at the same time, calling retarded people stupid. And they're not. Do people just not think before they speak or do they need mental evaluations themselves?
2006-06-14 02:52:30 · 12 answers · asked by Jennifer F 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Actually from someone who works with developmentally disabled people.. some have higher iq's than "normal" people. Developmental disabilities inhibit learning, not intelligence.
2006-06-14 08:41:09 · update #1
I hate the way the word is misused as well. Seems people think it's acceptable to be insulting to people with developmental disabilities...but using the word in the way that you mention is no less offensive that using the "N" word or other racial slurs.
And a NEWSFLASH for Elronhubbabubba. You're reply is simply moronic and hateful. My son has a clinical diagnosis of "mental retardation" as he has Down Syndrome and he is most definitely NOT stupid. Assuming (and it's a stretch) that YOU have at least an average IQ, I would say that based on your reply, you are the stupid one.
2006-06-14 07:52:27 · answer #1 · answered by Smom 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I agree with you for the most part. I have a bad habit of doing that. I think actually that, I'm insulting the mentally challenged by comparing them to politicians and not the other way around.
Still the word does roll off the tongue quite easily during an argument. Using words like ignorant or foolish or stupid just doesn't have the same effect. Though, I find that by calling someone 'genius' this can also work. Unless you are talking to Einstein or Stephen Hawking, this an insult.
2006-06-14 10:00:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't think and/or realize what they are saying should not be said. Remember the period of time called the Civil Rights era last century? Many persons did not think when they threw around negative words about persons of color. This speaks of only a percentage if persons for there are persons who are referring to the mentally challenged persons as well as the physically and/or mentally and physically challenged persons.
2006-06-14 10:03:53 · answer #3 · answered by 1saintofGod 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
News flash for you: retarded people ARE stupid. Mentally retarded people have a low IQ, that's means they're stupid.
2006-06-14 10:00:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a word that is not used where it was being used. But is used as a negative reference to a person. You have yourself answered your Q. These people do not think what they speak or they would not. No decent person uses offensive words on others.and hurt their feelings Just avoid them.What goes around comes around too.
2006-06-14 10:02:45 · answer #5 · answered by Mmmmm 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's because "retarded" is a synonym to "slow" and I guess they think it sounds cooler.
i hate that word. Several of my friends are mentally disabled, and it just puts the down.
it's like a cuss word in my book.
2006-06-14 11:22:10 · answer #6 · answered by punkgrl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, I don't like that word either. It is too often used in reference to people with disabilities. Not nice.
2006-06-14 09:55:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's just a term, chill, nobody wants to be retarded and who would wish that on someone.
2006-06-14 09:55:42 · answer #8 · answered by Stacy R 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Often times people prefer not to think and act on instinct and ignorance. I think that you are claser to the truth than you might expect.
2006-06-14 09:56:14 · answer #9 · answered by rashad h 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
lack of vocabulary
2006-06-14 10:01:35 · answer #10 · answered by rollieoolie 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋